|
 |
Genetics Meets Innov |
|
In the field of genetics, scientists develop stronger species of corn and other crops through a process known as “seed, select, and amplify.” First, they use a diverse range of seeds to grow several different varieties of the crop under various conditions, such as drought, frost, heavy rainfall, and so on. Then they select the seeds from the sturdiest and most productive strains of each generation of crops and cross-breed those with the desired trait for use in the next generation of test crops. Ultimately, over many generations, the scientists develop super-crops that produce more food, resist all types of weather and pests, and require less soil and water. |
|
|
 |
Genetic Algorithms A |
|
A significant challenge in managing today’s enterprise is quickly and effectively choosing among a large number of complex options and alternatives with subtle trade-offs. Fortunately, new computer applications using genetic algorithms can do a much better job at making these choices than a person using traditional analytical techniques. |
|
|
 |
Companies Learn and |
|
Most organisms behave like complex adaptive systems. As their parts sense and respond to conditions outside the system that constantly change, each part interacts with and influences the other parts in the system. Ultimately, this yields new patterns of behavior for the overall system. |
|
|
 |
Companies Become Sel |
|
As firms develop a peripheral nervous system composed of sensors and a central nervous system with computers that enables the firm to learn, adapt and innovate, we have to ask, “How will those firms be organized and managed to extract the maximum value from these capabilities?” |
|
|
 |
Businesses Get a "Se |
|
Like animals, companies have always monitored changes in their environments. Historically, companies have moved slowly in response to changes. For example, if a retailer’s sales of red sweaters outpaced sales of green sweaters during the Christmas shopping season, the results would not be noticed until months later. By the time the retailer could react, the holiday season was over, and the insights might not be relevant to the following year. |
|
|