Plant VOC Signaling
Companies release 'cultural VOCs' - ambient signals that permeate the organization.
When herbivores attack, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) serving multiple functions: (1) Direct defense - release bitter/toxic compounds systemically. (2) Indirect defense - tomato plants release VOCs attracting parasitoid wasps that attack caterpillars; lima beans attract predatory mites. (3) Neighbor warning - sagebrush VOCs trigger preemptive defense in neighboring plants. (4) Within-plant signaling - coordinate defense across branches faster than vascular transport.
Business Application of Plant VOC Signaling
Companies release 'cultural VOCs' - ambient signals that permeate the organization. Netflix's unlimited vacation policy signals trust. Amazon's PowerPoint ban signals depth over flash. These signals work without explicit communication, detected by employees who adjust behavior unconsciously.