The Oxpecker and the Rhino: The Positive Effects of Symbiotic Mutualism on Organizational Survival

Richard Hunt ()

No 2017-03, Working Papers from Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business

Abstract: The theoretical foundation and empirical thrust of strategic management is largely grounded in competition, competitive positioning and competitive advantage. It is ironic then that symbiotic mutualism - a relationship between individuals of different species, in which both derive benefit - may be more prevalent among surviving firms than zero-sum competition and may be a more potent selective force in determining the sustainability of successful organizational forms. The purpose of this paper is to articulate a framework for the future study of symbiotic mutualism. Extending the perspective of organizational ecology, I will assert that (a) symbiotic mutualism is a necessary but insufficient condition for firm sustainability; (b) organizations can be structured and staffed for symbiotic behaviors; (c) mutualistic proclivities will, on average, result in significantly higher survival rates; and, (d) new firms that fail to adopt a mutualistic orientation face dim prospects for long-term survival.

Keywords: Mutualism; Symbiosis; Population ecology; Organizational ecology; competition; Predation; Selection; Organizational survival (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2017-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-sbm
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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http://econbus-papers.mines.edu/working-papers/wp201703.pdf First version, 2017 (application/pdf)

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