Organizational Systematics: Taxonomic Lessons from Biology

This paper argues that important lessons about the theory and method of organizational classification may be learned from biological systematics, defined as the “science of differences.” Three main components of systematics studies are discussed: (1) taxonomy, the development of a concept of organizational differences; (2) evolution, the tracing of the lineages of organizational form; and (3) classification, the development of procedures for identifying and placing organizational forms into classes. Furthermore, two kinds of classification are identified and several theories of classification are discussed. Systematics is seen as a necessary prerequisite to studies aiming to identify generalizable principles of organizational function and process. Finally, some implications for defining populations and drawing samples of organizations are noted, along with other implications for organization design and development and managerial practice.