Good Enough: The Tolerance of Mediocrity in Nature and Society

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: ORGANIZATION STUDIES

Volume: 41

Issue: 6

Pages: 899-901

eISSN: 1741-3044

ISSN: 0170-8406

DOI: 10.1177/0170840619871177

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/32595/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Book review: Daniel S. Milo, Good Enough: The Tolerance of Mediocrity in Nature and Society

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: Organization Studies: An international multidisciplinary journal devoted to the Studies of organizations, organizing, and the organized in and between societies

Publisher: SAGE

ISSN: 0170-8406

Abstract:

Why, I wondered, did Organization Studies want someone to review a book, written by a philosopher, about evolutionary biology? Why did I leap at the chance? The second was easy: Years ago, while learning about corporate governance, I found a mention of a “theory of lesser peaks”. I have lost the reference, sadly, but it is related to institutions (Meyer & Rowan, 1977) and path dependence (Bebchuk & Roe, 1999), and a remark by Amartya Sen (2006) about eschewing the pursuit of an “ideal” form of justice. It suggests that the fear and cost of descending from a lesser peak inhibits us from achieving even greater heights. For example, having achieved pretty good corporate governance, do you want to risk losing those gains for the sake, after another, even longer climb, to try a different system? Why not settle for something good enough? The clue to answering the first question is the final word in the subtitle of this charmingly accessible book. ...

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/32595/

Source: Manual

Book review: Daniel S. Milo, Good Enough: The Tolerance of Mediocrity in Nature and Society

Authors: Nordberg, D.

Journal: Organization Studies: An international multidisciplinary journal devoted to the Studies of organizations, organizing, and the organized in and between societies

Volume: 41

Issue: 6

Pages: 899-901

ISSN: 0170-8406

Abstract:

Why, I wondered, did Organization Studies want someone to review a book, written by a philosopher, about evolutionary biology? Why did I leap at the chance? The second was easy: Years ago, while learning about corporate governance, I found a mention of a “theory of lesser peaks”. I have lost the reference, sadly, but it is related to institutions (Meyer & Rowan, 1977) and path dependence (Bebchuk & Roe, 1999), and a remark by Amartya Sen (2006) about eschewing the pursuit of an “ideal” form of justice. It suggests that the fear and cost of descending from a lesser peak inhibits us from achieving even greater heights. For example, having achieved pretty good corporate governance, do you want to risk losing those gains for the sake, after another, even longer climb, to try a different system? Why not settle for something good enough? The clue to answering the first question is the final word in the subtitle of this charmingly accessible book. ...

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/32595/

Source: BURO EPrints