It is suggested, based on a review of the literature, that the concept of "adaptation" should be extended so as to include adaptation by seizing opportunities (active adaptation). This is done formally, and a taxonomy of adaptive behavior is constructed. This taxonomy is related to Ackoff's typology of planning postures. The usefulness of the taxonomy is illustrated by a discussion of types of information-retrieval systems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ACKOFF, R. L.A concept of corporate planning. New York: Wiley , 1970.
2.
ACKOFF, R. L.Redesigning thefuture. New York: Wiley , 1974.
3.
ACKOFF, R. L.Does quality of life have to be quantified?General Systems, 1975, 10, 213-219 .
4.
ACKOFF, R. L. , & EMERY, F. E.On purposeful systems. Chicago: Aldine Atherton , 1972.
5.
ANGYAL, A.Foundations for a science of personality. Cambridge: Harvard University Press , 1941.
6.
ASHBY, W. R.An introduction to cybernetics. New York: Wiley , 1956.
7.
ASHBY, W. R.Design for a brain (2nd ed.). London: Chapman and Hall , 1960.
8.
BATESON, G.Steps to an ecology of mind. New York: Ballantine Books , 1972.
9.
BEER, S.The brain of the firm. New York: Herder and Herder , 1972.
10.
BERRIEN, K.General and social systems. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers Uiliversity Press , 1968.
11.
BRAYBROOKE, D. , & LINDBLOM, C. E.A strategy for decision. New York: Free Press , 1963.
12.
CHURCHMAN, C. W.The systems approach. New York: Dell , 1968.
13.
DAVIS, P.Planning for the supergrowth institutions . Paper presented to the ORSA-TIMS Conference, Philadelphia, April 1, 1976.
14.
EMERY, F. E. , & TRIST, E. L.Towards a social ecology. London: Plenum , 1973.
15.
EMSHOFF, J. R.Managerial Postures for an Uncertain Economic Future. Philadelphia: Busch Center, University of Pennsylvania , 1976. (mimeographed.)
16.
ETZIONI, A.The active society. New York: Free Press , 1968.
17.
FRIEDMAN, J.Retracking america. New York: Doubleday , 1973.
18.
GUTMAN, H.Structure and Function . Genetic Psychology Monographs1969, 70, 3-56 .
19.
HALL, A. D. , & FAGEN, R. E.Definition of system . General Systems, 1956, 1, 18-28 .
