Rigidity of Social Systems

The tendency for the members of a corporation or government to be resistant to change is explored in a model that encompasses two endemic features of such systems. First, the social system is modeled as a hierarchy, and implicit within it is a selection process that determines who advances to higher levels. Second, an agent's behavior is partially determined by imitating those who have risen in the ranks. A behavioral norm of being rigid is found to be more prevalent and robust than one of being flexible. A more volatile environment may also induce agents to be more resistant to change. admirandi sed imitandi (to be admired but not imitated) [St. Augustine]