How organizations can benefit from volatility: The promise of antifragility and some cautionary notes

Abstract

There is a widespread consensus that organizations are currently navigating an unprecedented era characterized by volatility, uncertainty, and complexity, which is anticipated to persist into the next decade. Addressing the disruptions stemming from such infrequent yet impactful events may necessitate the adoption of novel mental frameworks and management approaches. Some pioneering organizational scientists have proposed methods for cultivating the capacities to operate effectively amidst such uncertainty, introducing the concept of antifragility. Antifragility entails organizations leveraging disruptions as opportunities for rejuvenation and advancement, deriving benefits from them. In this piece, we share some preliminary evidence on how organizations can cultivate the capabilities required to transcend mere resilience or robustness—two conventional approaches to managing disruptions—to not only recover but also thrive and gain from disruptions. Furthermore, we provide some cautionary ideas regarding potential pitfalls associated with antifragility.