Biology of Business

Genetics

Trait

By Alex Denne

A distinguishing characteristic or quality of an organism. Traits can be physical (eye color), physiological (blood type), or behavioral (migration patterns).

Used in the Books

This term appears in 24 chapters:

Foundations Introduction

"...ts contradict what "everyone knows" about business. Cells that optimize purely for efficiency die in changing environments. Organisms with the "best" traits often lose to organisms with "good enough" traits in the right niche. Fast growth often precedes collapse."

Foundations Reproduction and Replication

"The advantage: diversity. Each offspring is genetically unique, carrying different combinations of parental traits. In variable or unpredictable environments, this hedging strategy increases the odds that at least some offspring will survive."

Foundations Natural Selection

"...zations keep products with 2% market share, teams that underperform for years, and strategies that haven't worked for a decade. Biology doesn't. If a trait reduces fitness, it disappears. Chapter 1's apoptosis: programmed death for the good of the organism. **Differential survival only works if you meas..."

Foundations Ecosystem Thinking

"Silicon Valley optimized for software scale and venture returns. Different environments select for different traits. 2. Gene flow was limited: Initial isolation (language, regulation, distance) prevented Western manufacturing knowledge from overwhelming local e..."

Resource Dynamics Energy Budgets

"6282 (1990): 357-359. > Supports: Trinidad guppy transplant experiment; rapid evolution of life history traits (5-10 generations, 18 months); energy allocation shifts between high-predation (60% reproduction, 30% growth, 10% maintenance) and low-predation envi..."

And 19 more chapters...

Biological Context

Traits result from genes, environment, and their interaction. Natural selection acts on traits that affect survival and reproduction. Some traits are controlled by single genes; most involve many genes (polygenic). Trait variation provides raw material for evolution.

Business Application

Organizational traits: distinguishing characteristics that affect competitive fitness. Traits include speed, quality, innovation, customer focus. Some traits are determined by 'genes' (founding principles); others by environment (market forces). Trait selection determines what type of organization survives.

Related Terms

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geneticsevolutionvariation