Purpose

How does the interaction between time and knowledge affect the evolution of organizations? Past research in organizational evolution has mostly investigated time and knowledge as two separate variables. In contrast, theoretical perspectives integrating these variables are still seemingly scant. The authors believe that filling this literature gap needs attention. Thus, this study aims to contribute by developing a conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual study. The framework is centred on the concept of “co-evolutionary time”, which the authors explain through a business example from the tourism industry. Supported by a narrative-based style, from a methodological point of view the framework is featured by the attempt to synthesize specific, extant literature into new theoretical development.

Findings

As its main theoretical contribution, the co-evolutionary time suggests how firms can adapt in a way that, from an evolutionary perspective, proves fitting both in terms of contents and methods, thus opening possibilities for new long-term social construction and reconstruction. As its main practical contribution, co-evolutionary time can constitute not only a temporary source of organizational success and competitive advantage but also an agent of enduring change and long-term business survival.

Originality/value

As its main novelty, the framework is developed through merging two literature streams. In particular, the authors first consider the literature about time, with a focus on its objective and subjective dimensions. The authors then consider the literature about organizational evolution, with a focus on the co-evolutionary nature of the firm/environment relationship.

中文翻译：

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整合时间和知识来理解组织演变：走向概念框架

目的

时间和知识之间的相互作用如何影响组织的演化？过去的组织演化研究主要将时间和知识作为两个独立的变量进行研究。相比之下，整合这些变量的理论观点似乎仍然很少。作者认为填补这一文献空白需要引起注意。因此，本研究旨在通过开发概念框架来做出贡献。

设计/方法论/途径

这是一项概念性研究。该框架以“共同进化时间”的概念为中心，作者通过旅游业的商业示例对此进行了解释。在基于叙事的风格的支持下，从方法论的角度来看，该框架的特点是试图将具体的、现存的文献综合成新的理论发展。

发现

作为其主要理论贡献，共同进化时间表明企业如何能够以一种从进化的角度来看在内容和方法上都适合的方式进行适应，从而为新的长期社会建设和重建提供可能性。作为其主要的实际贡献，共同进化时间不仅可以构成组织成功和竞争优势的暂时源泉，而且可以成为持久变革和长期企业生存的推动者。

原创性/价值

作为其主要新颖之处，该框架是通过合并两个文献流而开发的。特别是，作者首先考虑了有关时间的文献，重点关注其客观和主观维度。然后，作者考虑了有关组织演化的文献，重点关注企业/环境关系的共同演化性质。