Stability and Adaptation

"I belong to the warrior in whom the old ways have joined the new."
--Katsumoto (The Last Samurai)

Stability is often defined in terms of resistance to change or ability to withstand force without distortion. When viewed in this manner, stability relates to maintaining the status quo.

In turbulent environments that demand change, however, clinging to the status quo is maladaptive. Resistance to change brings instability (Farjoun, 2010).

Dynamically, stable systems are those capable of responding to change when necessary.

Reference

Farjoun, M. 2010. Beyond dualism: Stability and change as a duality. Academy of Management Review, 35: 202-235.