"Connect the Dots" as a Self-propagating Linguistic Meme in a Loosely Coupled Network
Although organization theorists have shown a continuing movement in
the evolution of organizational forms from tightly coupled firms, to
moderately coupled bureaucracies, to loosely coupled networks, the study
of strategic managerial processes within loosely coupled networks has
not kept pace. Specifically, we lack research that explains how loosely
coupled networks are energized to act in ways that appear coordinated,
though loosely coupled networks by definition lack a common coordinating
agent.
Recent theory and research on linguistic memes may help explain how
loosely coupled systems are energized to act in apparently coordinated
ways. Heath and Seidel's example of a self-propagating linguistic meme
is the expression, "It's the Economy, Stupid," which energized
the Clinton presidential campaign, and for which there are 255,000 Google
hits. The expression propagated across sectors and organizational lines.
It enabled people inside and outside of the loosely coupled Democratic
Party to make sense of the campaign and decide what actions they could
take as individuals and groups.
In this paper, we find support for and expand Heath and Seidel's ideas
by applying them to the U. S. national security community. Since 2002,
the community has experienced significant changes in structure, policy,
legal authorities, resources, and processes. The recent prevalence of
a linguistic meme—"Connect the Dots"—regarding
national security may help explain why change is happening in this loosely
coupled network. This meme meets Heath and Seidel's criteria for a self-propagating
meme, with over 211,000 Google hits.
