An Exploration of Discerning Search

Joel M. Podolny ()
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Joel M. Podolny: Apple University, Cupertino, California 95014

Strategy Science, 2018, vol. 3, issue 1, 295-305

Abstract: This paper argues that great strategies come from individuals or organizations that engage in “discerning search.” A discerning searcher has heightened taste, sensitivity, and judgment as to how individual elements of a strategy contribute to overall organizational fitness. This paper draws on Kauffman’s (1993) [ Kauffman S (1993) The Origins of Order: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution (Oxford University Press, New York).] NK model to compare the fitness impact of local and discerning search. The more rugged the fitness landscape, the more that discerning search outperforms local search. Organizations capable of performing discerning search in rugged landscapes are able to overcome what are generally regarded as inevitable trade-offs between organizational exploration and exploitation. Implications for modularization and organizational design are briefly discussed.

Keywords: organizational learning; simulations; technology and innovation management; technological change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:3:y:2018:i:1:p:295-305

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