Peter and Anti-Peter Principle as the Discrete Logistic Equation

TL;DR

This paper models the Peter and Anti-Peter principles within hierarchical organizations using the discrete logistic equation, providing a mathematical framework for understanding competence dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interpretation of the Peter and Anti-Peter principles as discrete logistic equations, linking organizational behavior to population dynamics models.

Findings

Peter principle modeled as logistic growth

Anti-Peter principle formulated similarly

Provides a mathematical basis for competence evolution

Abstract

In this work Peter principle (in the hierarchical structure any competent member tends to rise to his level of incompetence) is consistently interpreted as the discrete form of the well-known logistic (Verhulst or Maltusian) equation of the population dynamics. According to such interpretation anti-Peter principle (in the hierarchical structure any incompetent member tends to rise to his level of competence) is formulated too.