Literature Review Punctuated Equilibrium

Literature Review Punctuated Equilibrium

Punctuated Equilibrium

The theory of punctuated equilibrium (evolution of quantum theory) is the theory of evolution of living organisms, which states that the evolution of creatures that reproduce sexually, is irregular, interspersed with long periods in which there is no significant change. According to this theory, phenotypic evolution, the evolution of the properties encoded in the genome, is the result of rare periods of formation of new species (kladogenez), which occur relatively quickly in comparison with periods of stable existence of species. But this theory is also applicable in the field of business and management.

Application of Punctuated Equilibrium Model for Team Building in Organization

The Punctuated Equilibrium Model, proposed by Gersick (1984), postulates that successful teams tend to experience strategic transitions at their temporal midpoints. Gersick initially conducted an observational study that involved eight real-world teams of varying backgrounds. In this study, seven of eight teams experienced successful transitions at their temporal midpoints and were successful in terms of completing their assigned tasks. The eighth team (Riverside) did not experience a successful transition and was not successful (Gersick 1984, 1988). The teams included in the study were as follows:

Novices: comprised of five first-year graduate-level management students

Strategic Planners: comprised of two first-year graduate-level management students and a second-year student

Policymakers: comprised of four first-year graduate-level management students

Centralized Fundraising Committee: comprised of professionals from four different organizations

Bank Group: comprised of four bank executives, all members of a larger management sub-committee

University Group: comprised of four faculty members and two administrators

Hospital Group: comprised of five hospital administrators

Riverside (Psychiatric Professionals): comprised of eighteen mental health professionals and three staff assistants

Gersick (1989) replicated this study in a laboratory, or training, environment with graduate-level management students a few years later. All teams were assigned the same task, which was to assume the role of professional advertising writers at a major urban radio station. They had to develop a pilot commercial for a prospective client and they had one hour to complete the task. No written product was required, but they knew they would be filmed acting out the ad at the end of the hour. Each team was aware it had competition and an incentive was provided for the best ad, as judged by the client (Gersick, 1989).

Again, seven teams experienced successful transitions at their temporal midpoints and were successful while one team did not experience a successful transition and was deemed unsuccessful in terms of task completion. Gersick concluded the transition was a critical element of the teams' development process and, therefore, a factor in its ultimate success (Gersick, 1989).

Lim and Murnigham (1994)

Lim and Murnigham (1994) attempted to apply the Punctuated Equilibrium Model to two-person negotiation teams using an observation-based study. Ultimately, they determined that the model was not quite suitable to two-person negotiations as individual persons on opposite sides of a negotiation table are not really a team even though they may be pursuing a win-win situation. They are two separate teams with somewhat conflicting goals (Lim and Murnigham, ...