Why Most Things Fail: Evolution, Extinction and EconomicsWith the same originality and astuteness that marked his widely praised Butterfly Economics, Paul Ormerod now examines the “Iron Law of Failure” as it applies to business and government–and explains what can be done about it. “Failure is all around us,” asserts Ormerod. For every General Electric–still going strong after more than one hundred years–there are dozens of businesses like Central Leather, which was one of the world’s largest companies in 1912 but was liquidated in 1952. Ormerod debunks conventional economic theory–that the world economy ticks along in perfect equilibrium according to the best-laid plans of business and government–and delves into the reasons for the failure of brands, entire companies, and public policies. Inspired by recent advances in evolutionary theory and biology, Ormerod illuminates the ways in which companies and policy-setting sectors of government behave much like living organisms: unless they evolve, they die. But he also makes clear how desirable social and economic outcomes may be achieved when individuals, companies and governments adapt in response to the actual behavior and requirements of their customers and constituents. Why Most Things Fail is a fascinating and provocative study of a truth all too seldom acknowledged. |
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Page 3
... single day. The don1ina11t life form for more than a century, however, has been that ofthe li111ited liability company. Like the dinosaurs, this took time to reach its full evolutionary potential. The massive dinosaurs that ruled the ...
... single day. The don1ina11t life form for more than a century, however, has been that ofthe li111ited liability company. Like the dinosaurs, this took time to reach its full evolutionary potential. The massive dinosaurs that ruled the ...
Page 2
... single most useful and productive legal invention in the past few centuries has been that of the commercial firm . In- dividuals have banded together and pooled their resources in the pursuit of business since time immemorial , but the ...
... single most useful and productive legal invention in the past few centuries has been that of the commercial firm . In- dividuals have banded together and pooled their resources in the pursuit of business since time immemorial , but the ...
Page 3
... single day . The dominant life form for more than a century , however , has been that of the limited liability company . Like the dinosaurs , this took time to reach its full evolutionary potential . The massive dinosaurs that ruled the ...
... single day . The dominant life form for more than a century , however , has been that of the limited liability company . Like the dinosaurs , this took time to reach its full evolutionary potential . The massive dinosaurs that ruled the ...
Page 9
... single organization . In part , this dramatic reduction in the number of major players in each market was triggered by another piece of legislation , the general incorporation laws passed by the state of New Jersey in 1889. General ...
... single organization . In part , this dramatic reduction in the number of major players in each market was triggered by another piece of legislation , the general incorporation laws passed by the state of New Jersey in 1889. General ...
Page 12
... and Rubber were in the list for the entire period . Others enjoyed their fifteen minutes of fame in a single appearance , such as Atlantic Gulf and West Indies Shipping Line in 1919 , Lehigh WHY MOST THINGS FAIL | 12.
... and Rubber were in the list for the entire period . Others enjoyed their fifteen minutes of fame in a single appearance , such as Atlantic Gulf and West Indies Shipping Line in 1919 , Lehigh WHY MOST THINGS FAIL | 12.
Contents
1 | |
17 | |
Up a Bit Then Down a Bit | 36 |
Making Sense of Segregation | 58 |
Playing by the Rules | 77 |
A Game of Chess | 100 |
The BestLaid Schemes | 118 |
Doves and Hawks | 140 |
The Powers That Be | 169 |
Take Your Pick? | 189 |
Resolving the Dilemma | 202 |
Why Things Fail | 211 |
What Is to Be Done? | 222 |
Suggestions for Further Reading | 241 |
Index | 247 |
Patterns in the Dark | 155 |
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Common terms and phrases
ability able American average behave behaviour biological species bounded rationality cent chapter chess companies competition completely concept connections consumers context countries curve decades decision described dramatic economic theory economists empirical equilibrium evolution evolve example existence external extinction events extinction rate fail failure Figure firms fitness for survival fossil record game theory George Akerlof Gini Gini coefficient happens human impact income increase individual agents industry interactions marginal cost mathematical maximizing million move Nash Nash equilibrium Nobel Nobel Prize nomic observe outcome output particular patterns perfect competition period play players plot population power law Prisoner's Dilemma problem racial random rational reality relationship rules segregation shocks simply single social and economic species becoming extinct Stephen Jay Gould strategy success supply and demand theoretical tion twentieth century uncertainty unemployment whole words