Genetic Rescue
Genetic rescue requires calibrated gene flow from large into small populations; corporate acquisitions typically impose excessive gene flow that destroys what was acquired.
Acquisitions are reverse genetic rescues. The Florida panther was saved by importing eight Texas pumas - a migration rate of 32%. Most acquisitions impose 100% migration that overwhelms acquired capabilities in months.
Genetic rescue occurs when gene flow from a larger population rescues a small, isolated population from genetic deterioration. Small populations suffer inbreeding depression (increased expression of harmful recessive alleles) and mutational meltdown. Migrants introduce genetic variation, producing heterozygous offspring who don't express deleterious recessive phenotypes. The Florida panther rescue (1995) introduced eight Texas pumas into a population of 25-30 severely inbred individuals, tripling the population within a decade.
Business Application of Genetic Rescue
Most corporate acquisitions invert genetic rescue logic: large companies (5,000 employees) acquire small specialized teams (50 employees) and impose immediate integration - a 100% migration rate that overwhelms acquired capabilities. Genetic rescue requires calibrated gene flow from large into small populations; corporate acquisitions typically impose excessive gene flow that destroys what was acquired.