Principle of Organizational Behavior

Punctuated Equilibrium in Organizational Development

Three concepts essential to the punctuated equilibrium model of development are stasis , punctuation , and dominant relative frequency The punctuated equilibrium model claims that the development of a population is not smooth and gradual . Instead , a group remains in stasis (or is relatively unchanged ) most of the time , with punctuations (or relatively short periods of rapid change ) interspersed along its timeline . The punctuated equilibrium model is frequently contrasted to the earlier model of phyletic gradualism (especially concerning the theory of evolution of species , which proposes that changes are

br consistent and cumulative

The punctuated equilibrium model can be represented in a graph

change

time

The preceding definition of punctuated equilibrium applies to the field of organizational behavior as well . With regard to organizational behavior , the punctuated equilibrium model specifically proposes that an organization 's life is composed mostly of periods of equilibrium , during which small changes that do not affect the organization 's fundamental structure may be made to adjust to changes in the environment . However the organization more or less maintains its structure and its pattern of activities during periods of equilibrium . But there will be punctuations , or periods of revolution or radical change . One possible reason for the occurrence of the radical changes may be that the organization does not adequately respond to the gradually mounting pressures for change that their responsibilities incur , until such a time that the pressure for change becomes overwhelming , whereupon the group will have no recourse but to change radically . Any significant changes in the organizations environment may force the organization to abandon its current fundamental structure and reconstruct the organization around the new developments in the environment...