Philopatry
Companies exhibit philopatry as 'headquarters bias' - insisting on returning to origin market strategies despite better opportunities.
Philopatry adaptive when environment stable, fatal when environment changes rapidly.
Philopatry is the tendency to return to birthplace despite migration costs. Salmon return to exact stream where they were born via olfactory imprinting - they remember the chemical signature of their natal stream. Salmon swimming upstream pass better streams (more food, fewer predators, closer) to reach natal stream. Adaptive when environment stable (salmon streams unchanged 10,000 years). Fatal when environment changes (Columbia River dams 1930s-1970s blocked 40% of historical salmon populations → extinction).
Business Application of Philopatry
Companies exhibit philopatry as 'headquarters bias' - insisting on returning to origin market strategies despite better opportunities. Walmart Germany tried importing U.S. playbook (greeters, smiles, big-box) despite German environment demanding adaptation. Nine years, $1B+ loss. Blockbuster returned to physical retail despite streaming opportunity. Philopatry kills when environment changes.