The Unexpected Game

The Unexpected Game challenges the managerial illusion that uncertainty can be fully controlled. Instead, it demonstrates how organizations actively shape their relationship with the unexpected. By introducing the concepts of serendipity (turning surprises into opportunities), zemblanity (drifting into predictable failure), and bahramdipity (suppressing novel ideas under hierarchy), the book offers a fresh lens on how managerial action influences outcomes under uncertainty at both individual and organizational levels. Blending theory, empirical cases, and practical diagnostic tools, it provides a framework for engaging with uncertainty more deliberately. Written for scholars, managers, and entrepreneurs, the book encourages a shift from attempting to eliminate uncertainty to learning how to navigate it wisely.

Marco Balzano is a Research Fellow in Management at the University of Trieste, Italy. He holds a joint PhD in Management from Ca Foscari University of Venice and SKEMA Business School. His research primarily explores business strategy and innovation management. His work has appeared in leading international journals, including Research Policy, California Management Review, and Technovation, among others. He also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Small Business Management and Strategic Change.