Monkeys to Managers: A Bridge Too Far?
Academy of Management Review · 1999 · Volume 24 · Issue 4
Abstract
The author offers commentary on the article ‘The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters,’ by Barbara Decker Pierce and Roderick White. The author believes that the socioevolutionary theory that is suggested by Pierce and White is flawed. The initial paper argues that one can come to a better understanding of management theory through observing the behaviors of present day primates. Since our society evolved from the hunter-gatherer nature of these monkeys, they conclude that these creature may offer insight into how our behaviors in a business environment evolved from their behaviors. The author argues that this connection cannot be drawn because not enough is known about the ancestors of human beings.
Keywords
SOCIAL structure, ORGANIZATIONAL sociology, INTERPERSONAL relations, SOCIAL sciences, PREHISTORIC peoples, MANAGEMENT science, PRIMATES, CORPORATE culture, WORK -- Sociological aspects, ORGANIZATIONAL behavior, STRATEGIC planning, EVOLUTION (Biology), ORGANIZATIONAL effectiveness, INDUSTRIAL sociology
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