active inertia

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "active inertia" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an organization or individual continues to follow established routines or practices despite changes in the environment that may require adaptation. Example: "The company's active inertia prevented it from responding effectively to the market's evolving demands."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As a result, companies often respond to even the biggest changes with active inertia — accelerating activities that worked in the past.

Harvard Business Review

The Economist listed his theory of active inertia among the ideas that shaped business management over the past century.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His new book ("Revival of the Fittest") argues that good firms go bad when they suffer from "active inertia".

The Economist

This got off to a flying start when Donald Sull, an associate professor at London Business School, posted a detailed response to a piece on active inertia, an idea with which he is closely associated.From the archiveOur weekly "From the archive" feature highlights a past article from The Economist that has relevance to current news, or to an anniversary.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(2) Updating Dynamic Inertia Weight.

BioMed Research International

Each mass is represented by four parameters, namely, position, active, passive and inertia mass.

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

We saw earlier that it is not easy to square this active reading of inertia, grounded as it is in the idea of motion pertaining to the action proper to a body, with a good deal of what Spinoza says in the first and second parts of the Ethics about how no body can be determined to produce an effect unless is it so determined externally.

SEP

The notion, shared by the teleological reading of conatus and the active reading of Spinozistic inertia, that it is in the nature of bodies actively to strive of their own power would seem to help.

SEP

Different forces such as seismic active earth pressure, seismic inertia forces of the wall, non-breaking wave pressure, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures are considered in the stability analysis.

Applied Ocean Research

(4) Wind power conversion system is different from conventional generators in terms of inertia, frequency- active power control, and reactive power adjustment, and power system dynamic behaviour.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Any group working to implement leadership training within a healthcare organization must be mindful of the broader organizational culture and be prepared to overcome inertia (and sometimes active resistance) in order to effect behavior change.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "active inertia" to describe situations where past successes lead to resistance to necessary changes. It is a concise way to highlight the paradox of clinging to what once worked.

Common error

Avoid using "active inertia" when you simply mean a lack of action. "Active inertia" specifically implies an active continuation of outdated practices, not just a passive state of inaction.

Linguistic Context

"Active inertia" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of organizational behavior, as illustrated by the examples provided by Ludwig. It highlights the paradox of actively maintaining ineffective practices.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Active inertia" is a term used to describe the paradoxical situation where organizations or individuals continue to follow established routines, even when those routines are no longer effective. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness, while examples indicate its relative infrequency. It is primarily used in formal and analytical contexts, such as business, news media, and scientific discussions. To avoid misuse, remember that "active inertia" signifies active adherence to outdated practices, not mere passivity. Alternatives such as "organizational rigidity" or "resistance to change" can offer nuances in meaning. Recognizing and addressing "active inertia" is crucial for fostering adaptability and preventing stagnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resistance to change

Directly addresses the opposition to altering established routines.

institutional inertia

Highlights the embedded nature of the resistance to change within an institution.

organizational rigidity

Focuses on the inflexibility of the organization itself.

status quo bias

Describes a preference for the current state of affairs.

continued adherence

Emphasizes the act of sticking to established practices.

strategic persistence

Suggests a deliberate continuation of a strategy, even if it's outdated.

habitual practices

Highlights that the practices are driven by habit rather than conscious decision.

unchanging approach

A more general term for maintaining the same methods.

stagnant methodology

Emphasizes lack of innovation within the established methodology.

fixed mindset

Focuses on the mindset that prevents adaptation and learning.

FAQs

How can I use "active inertia" in a sentence?

Use "active inertia" to describe situations where an organization, despite facing new challenges, continues to apply outdated methods or strategies. For example, "The company's insistence on using traditional marketing methods despite the rise of social media is a clear case of "active inertia"".

What does "active inertia" mean in business?

In a business context, "active inertia" refers to the tendency of successful companies to stick to established practices and strategies even when those strategies are no longer effective due to changes in the market or competitive landscape. It's continuing to do what worked in the past, even when it's no longer working.

What are some strategies to overcome "active inertia"?

Strategies to overcome "active inertia" include fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging experimentation, and regularly reassessing core assumptions and strategies. Seeking external perspectives and being willing to disrupt existing processes are also crucial.

Is "institutional inertia" the same as "active inertia"?

"Institutional inertia" refers to the general tendency of organizations to resist change. "Active inertia", on the other hand, is a specific type of resistance where the organization actively pursues outdated strategies. While both describe resistance to change, "active inertia" implies a more proactive, yet misguided, approach.