Organizational adaptability: A reflection based on ex-ante, in action and ex-post conditions
| Autor | Jose Maria Mendoza - Magda Andrea Monsalve Peláez |
| Cargo | Universidad Simón Bolívar, Colombia - Universidad Simón Bolívar, Colombia |
| Páginas | 20-38 |
Artículos
Organizational adaptability: A reection based on ex-ante, in action and ex-post
conditions*
Adaptabilidad organizacional: Una reexión basada en las condiciones ex ante, en acción y ex post
Adaptabilidade organizacional: uma reexão baseada em condições ex-ante, em ação e ex-post
Jose Maria Mendoza a
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Colombia
jmendoza@unisimonbolivar.edu.co
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3116-5372
Magda Andrea Monsalve Peláez
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Colombia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8522-346X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.cao34.oarba
Received: 21 May 2018
Accepted: 11 May 2021
Published: 15 October 2021
Abstract:
is article aims to analyze the adaptability construct in its nature and development. First, it provides an analytic study about the
adaptability literature integrating to a classication based on different areas of business. Likewise, these contributions are classied
in two categories : general and specic and ve subcategories: strategic, structural, human talent, production and marketing
approaches. Next, a dynamic model is used for representing the exible and rigid organizational behavior for confronting a changing
environment. en, a second model developing this construct is offered with three important moments: ex-ante, in-action and ex-
post as conditions of adaptive organizational behavior. In the end, a reection about consequences of these structures is added.
JEL Codes: J53, M12.
Keywords: Environment, adaptation, exibility, change, organization.
Resumen:
Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el constructo adaptabilidad en su naturaleza y desarrollo. Primero, proporciona un estudio
analítico sobre la literatura que se integra a una clasicación basada en diferentes áreas de neg ocios. Asimismo, estos aportes se
clasican en dos categorías: generales y especícos y cinco sub categorías: estratégico, estructural, talento humano, producción y
mercadeo. A continuación se utiliza un modelo dinámico para representar el comportamiento organizacional exible y rígido para
enfrentar un entorno cambiante. Posteriormente, las diversas teorías se combinan en un modelo que representa esta construcción
en tres momentos importantes: ex ante, en acción y ex post como condiciones del comportamiento organizacional adaptativo.
Finalmente se agrega una reexión acerca de estas estructuras.
Códigos JEL: J53, M12.
Palabras clave: Ambiente, adaptación, exibilidad, cambio y organizaciones.
Resumo:
Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o construto da adaptabilidade em sua natureza e desenvolvimento. Em primeiro lugar,
fornece um estudo analítico da literatura que se integra a uma classicação baseada em diferentes áreas de negócio. Da mesma forma,
essas contribuições são classicadas em duas categorias: gerais e especícas e cinco subcategorias: estratégica, estrutural, talento
humano, produção e marketing. Em seguida, um modelo dinâmico é usado para representar o comportamento organizacional
exível e rígido para lidar com um ambiente em mudança. Posteriormente, as várias teorias são combinadas em um modelo
que representa essa construção em três momentos importantes: ex-ante, em ação e ex-post como condiçõ es do comportamento
organizacional adaptativo. Por m, acrescenta-se uma reexão sobre essas estruturas.
Códigos JEL: J53, M12.
Palavras-chave: Ambiente, adaptação, exibilidade, mudança e organizações.
Author notes
a Corresponding author. E-mail address: jmendoza@unisimonbolivar.edu.co
Cuadernos de Administración, 2021, vol. 34, ISSN: 0120-3592 / 1900-7205
Introduction
In the management literature the changing situation of the current context of business has been recog nized
by scholars like D’Aveni (2010), Drucker, (1980) and Kotler & Caslione (2009). Particular phenomena
requiring attention in the present world are:
• Problems with globalization
• Emergent countries challenges
• A multipolar world
• Disruptive technologies
• Educated clients
• Environmental trends
• Preference of consumers oriented to organic products
• Risk and uncertainty in an interconnected world
• Terrorism
• Migrations
ese conditions have provoked an interest in how a rm ts to its environment, and the rst answer
is: by means of a strategy. us, following the pioneers of strategic management (Andrews, 1980; Ansoff,
1988; Steiner, 1979) a strateg y was understood as a means for responding to the changes of external
circumstances. en, ba sed on the contingent theory (Burns & Stalker, 1961; Lawrence & Lorsch, 1973)
the focus was put on the organizational structure and this was seen as one way for obtaining organicity for
confronting a turbulent situation. At last, dynamic capabilities were another way to response to the volatile
environment; and by this road, the conclusion was: e more dynamic is the environment, the more dynamic
capabilities result. In this sense, dynamic capabilities outstood as a vehicle for understanding the adaptability
problems, especially concrete capabilities such as strategic alliances, innovation, organizational learning and
coordination (Eisenhardt & Martin, 2000; Teece, 2009).
However, a comprehension of the organizational tness needs a profound study of the environment-rm
relationship and it involves an analysis of the construct organizational adaptability. In this article a study
of the literature of organizational adaptability is accomplished, and base d on it, a theoretical proposal is
elaborated for understanding the organization-environment interaction that is concreted in two models: one
examining environment-organization interaction by means of learning and inertia and another following the
adaptability dynamic.
Management evolution toward adaptation
History of Management may be analyzed from a different view of the standard approach of schools and
approaches (classic, humanist, of contingence, strategic management and competitiveness). An interesting
looking at is related to the role of the environment. In this way it is possible to establish three phases in the
evolution of this discipline: closed organization, confronting a gradual environment and rapid adaptation.
e rst stage involves a p eriod dominated by an interest in elevating productivity in uprising markets
based on studying work methods, management processes and human tools ; gradual moment (the second
period) is referred to strategic planning, where the key problem was to formulate an effective strategy for
taking advantage of opportunities provided for the outside reality; and nally the third phase recognizes the
problems of competitive advantage in a changing world with models such as value chain and the resources and
capabilities view; nowadays this moment has implied a concentration of the researching in disruptive topics
as critical events, shocks and catastrophes (Patten, Whitworth, Fjermestad & Mahindra, 2005; Chakrabarti,
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