Surviving disruption: nature inspired solutions
Journal of Organizational Change Management
ISSN: 0953-4814
Article publication date: 4 May 2022
Issue publication date: 24 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Decision-makers in companies increasingly face unprecedented natural disasters. When business continuity is at risk, managers need a framework to imminently react.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review and analysis of survival responses in nature and business case examples of company responses to the Covid-19 pandemic was the approach used.
Findings
There are direct parallels between the physiological stress response when a living individual perceives a threat to its survival, and the immediate reactions that occur when companies are faced with a disruptive event.
Practical implications
This article is meant to be used by decision-makers in companies to better react to disruptive events.
Originality/value
While nature-inspired methods have inspired inventions and algorithms, Hans Selye's general adaptation theory has not been used in parallel with business scenarios. We correlate fundamental organism survival mechanisms with a risk response framework to improve the probability of business survival during external threats.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study would not have been possible without the support of an incredible organization, bioMérieux. Thank you to Anthony Manganaro, David Machenaud, Eric Thomas, Gregory Debuchy and Pierre Charbonnier, as well as other Supply Chain leaders, for trusting and believing in continuous education. It is with deep gratitude that the author shares this article with them.
Citation
Swain, S. and Brahimi, N. (2022), "Surviving disruption: nature inspired solutions", Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol. 35 No. 3, pp. 682-695. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-02-2022-0042
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited