Decision Sciences Journal
Volume 29, Number 1
Winter 1998

The Scientific Visualization of Organizations: A Rationale for a New Approach to Organizational Modeling

Steven E. Markham
The R.B. Pamplin College of Business, Department of Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, email: markhami@vt.edu

Abstract: This article examines the rationale for the application of a new research tool, scientific visualization, to the study of organizations. Based upon a general theory of visualization, the ability to simultaneously display both variables and organizational entities should allow for easier and more widespread analysis of organizational research issues. Applications and future directions for both research and praxis are discussed.

Subject Areas: Levels of Analysis, Organizational Evolution, Organizational Forms, Organizational Modeling, Scientific Visualization, Virtual Organizations, and Within and Between Analysis (WABA).