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Article
Research Methods for Studying Evolutionary and Ecological Processes in Organizational Communication
Management Communication Quarterly (2011)
  • Peter Monge, University of Southern California
  • Seungyoon Lee, Purdue University
  • Janet Fulk, University of Southern California
  • Matthew Weber, Duke University
  • Cuihua Shen, University of Texas at Dallas
  • Courtney Schultz, University of Southern California
  • Drew Margolin, University of Southern California
  • Jessica Gould, University of Southern California
  • Lauren B. Frank, University of Southern California
Abstract

In a previous MCQ article, Monge et al. overviewed the fundamental concepts and processes of evolutionary theory and their applications to key issues in organizational communication. This article extends that work by providing an overview of research tools for studying organizational ecology and evolution, including (a) the variation-selection-retention sequence, (b) the likelihood of events occurring over a period of time (event history analysis), (c) transition sequence of populations from one state to another (sequence analysis), (d) relationships among nodes in networks over time (network analysis), (e) simulation of complex relationships and interactions (computational modeling), (f) changes in populations’ fitness for survival (NKC models), and (g) competitive interdependence among populations over time (predator—prey models). We conclude with a brief review of graphical and qualitative methods.

Keywords
  • Communication in organizations,
  • Qualitative research,
  • Simulation methods & models,
  • Organizational ecology,
  • Event history analysis,
  • Network analysis (Planning
Publication Date
May, 2011
Citation Information
Peter Monge, Seungyoon Lee, Janet Fulk, Matthew Weber, et al.. "Research Methods for Studying Evolutionary and Ecological Processes in Organizational Communication" Management Communication Quarterly Vol. 25 Iss. 2 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lauren_frank/6/