Perspective: Complex adaptations and the evolution of evolvability

This influential paper defines evolvability and connects it to modularity in genotype-phenotype maps. The authors propose that modular design improves evolvability by limiting pleiotropic effects - changes in one module don't cascade unpredictably to affect others.

This directly supports the chapter's argument that modularity enables organizations to evolve and adapt more rapidly. When business units can change independently without disrupting the whole organization, companies become more evolvable - able to respond to market changes, experiment with new approaches, and contain failures.