The Origins (or Evolution) of Organizational Capabilities

Abstract

The purpose of this proposed symposium is to bring scholars together to discuss and debate the origins of organizational capabilities. The question of origins has been a sticky one to resolve, specifically due to the problem of infinite regress and the multi-level nature of capabilities. For example, should explanation of capabilities be reduced to, say, genes? What is the appropriate level of analysis for explaining the origins of capability—individuals and cognition, social interaction, organizations, or perhaps industries? And, should we even look at the origin (in terms of the initial development) of capabilities, or should we rather focus on the evolutionary processes that they undergo? In this proposed symposium scholars will debate and offer differing opinions on these and other questions related to the origins (and evolution) of capability. Beyond debate, we also seek to move the theoretical discussion about the origins of capability forward by laying out a preliminary agenda for future work. Ample time will also be left for interaction with the audience.