【作者】
1.Jason P. Davis1
2.Kathleen M. Eisenhardt2
3.Christopher B. Bingham3

【题目】
Optimal Structure, Market Dynamism, and the Strategy of Simple Rules

【年份】
2009

【简介】
Using computational and mathematical modeling, this study explores the tension between too
little and too much structure that  is shaped by the core tradeoff between efficiency and flexibility
in dynamic environments. Our aim is to devel op a more precise theory of the fundamental
relationships among structure, performance, and environment. We find that the structure-performance relationship is unexpectedly asymmetric,  in that it is better to err on the side of too
much structure, and that different environmental dynamism dimensions (i.e., velocity,
complexity, ambiguity, and unpredictability) have unique effects on performance. Increasing
unpredictability decreases optimal structure and narro ws its range from a wide to a narrow set of
effective strategies. We also find that a strate gy of simple rules, which combines improvisation
with low-to-moderately structured  rules to execute a variety of  opportunities, is viable in many
environments but essential in some. This sharpens the boundary condition  between the strategic
logics of positioning and opportunity. And juxtaposi ng the structural challenges of adaptation for
entrepreneurial vs. established organizations, we find that entrepreneur ial organizations should
quickly add structure in all environments, while established organizations are better off seeking
stable environments unless they can devote su fficient attention to managing a dissipative
equilibrium of structure (i.e., edge of chaos) in unpredictable environments.
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