Biological Metaphors in Project Management in Colombia: Systematic Review

Colombia is a pioneer country in applying biological metaphors to organizational management, and the first study was published in 1982. Since that time, several publications have been released. Objective and methodology: A comprehensive literature search was carried out, and criteria for inclusion and exclusion were implemented, resulting in 75 investigations. Key findings: It was observed that 2015 had the highest number of publications in Colombia. Moreover, 86 biological metaphors applied to organizations were found. Conclusions: Biological metaphors in project management in Colombia have facilitated inter-business cooperation, the creation of organizational ecosystems, the development of new organizational forms, the promotion of social responsibility, and adaptation to a dynamic environment, thus contributing to the competitiveness and sustainability of small businesses.