Division of Economics and Business Working Paper Series The Oxpecker and the Rhino: The Positive Effects of Symbiotic Mutualism on Organizational Survival

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.