Adaptive Behaviour Paradigms

This chapter highlights the conceptualisation and importance of adaptive behaviour paradigms (ABPs). Paradigm connotes an implicit or explicit view of reality (Morgan, 1980); it is a ‘way of seeing’ (Morgan, 1979:137). An important way of viewing the organisation is by identifying its inherent characteristics. By nature behavioural aspect of organisation is prominent and important in the consideration of any organisational concept (Cyert & March, 1963). Based on this assertion, we posit adaptive behaviour paradigms as way(s) of viewing basic constituents of organisational adaptation. Also, paradigmatic analysis is a generic method of analysing any subject or field of study (Farhoomand, 1987; Hazlett, McAdam, & Gallagher, 2005). The reasons for undertaking a paradigmatic approach in this monograph are the following:1.To facilitate the comprehension of many perspectives associated with organisational adaptations2.To generate possible integrated interdisciplinary research directions3.To provide a basis for analytical examination of various components of organisational adaptation4.To aid the development of a firm foundation for the design of organisational adaptation processes and approaches