Research on organizational dynamics at IAS is informed by an interdisciplinary perspective that draws on recent advances in organization studies, economics, entrepreneurship research, and analytical sociology. Organizational decision-makers must evaluate new strategies and new market opportunities within a changing highly uncertain environment. The invention and adoption of new organizational forms, markets, and industries is therefore a central problem in the study of organizations.
Because the future value of an organizational innovation is unknown, organizations often attempt to learn from the experience of other organizations. The resulting networks of influence can give rise to complex dynamics and hard-to-predict feedback loops. New methods and data sources make it possible to examine such processes despite their complexity. In particular, large-scale empirically-calibrated computer simulations and recent increases in access to massive data on interacting actors shine new light on the dynamic relationship between organizations and their environments.
The organizational dynamics research group is embedded in a network of influential international scholars. Our research looks at business, public, and non-profit organizations in the Nordic countries, as well as global financial markets, the dynamics of scientific disciplines in Europe and North America, and decision-making by the Nobel Prize award committees. Our advisory board allows us to maintain close contact with relevant audiences in business and the public sector and to disseminate our findings through outreach activities.
