Citation
Isolation by Distance
TL;DR
Gene flow decreases with geographic distance
Extended population genetics theory to continuous geographic distributions. Demonstrated that limited dispersal creates genetic differentiation even without discrete barriers - populations become more different as geographic distance increases because gene flow decreases with distance.
For organizations, this explains why geographically dispersed teams naturally develop different practices, and why calibrated rotation programs (like Novo Nordisk's) are needed to maintain connection without homogenization.
Key Findings from Wright (1943)
- Gene flow decreases with geographic distance
- Populations differentiate gradually across continuous space
- No discrete barriers required for genetic divergence
- Distance-based isolation creates stepping-stone population structure