Exponential Atlases: A Metaphysical Approach to the Organizational Rapid Growth

Abstract

According to Greek mythology, Atlas held up the sky on his shoulders. Nowadays, the term atlas refers to “a book of maps or charts” (1). In this paper, the term is used in both senses. On the one hand, the purpose is to understand the conditions favoring – hold up – the birth and the evolution of exponential organizations. On the other hand, the goal is to draw a concept map that allows us to identify the interactional dynamics among the actors involved in this evaluative process.  In other words, first I'll try to know who “holds up the sky” (static interpretation), and then we will see who “lives in it” (moving interpretation). The idea is that disruptive innovation mediates the relationship between environmental/organizational features (conditions) and exponential growth (phenomenon). So far, little consideration has been given to the favorable conditions that can allow organizations to become exponential. This paper  aims to pave the way for future systematized research on the ExO’s genesis and development.