Reciprocal Altruism
Organizations benefit from cultures where raising alarms builds reputation rather than punishment.
In species with long-term social relationships, individuals who call when they detect threats build reputations as vigilant, and others preferentially associate with reliable alarm-callers. Individuals who don't call (free-riders) are ostracized or avoided.
Reciprocal altruism - 'I'll call for you, you'll call for me' - is stable when social groups interact repeatedly and can remember individual behaviors. Vampire bats share food with individuals who've shared in the past; alarm calling can operate similarly, creating stable cooperative networks.
Business Application of Reciprocal Altruism
Organizations benefit from cultures where raising alarms builds reputation rather than punishment. Employees who consistently flag problems should be recognized, creating incentives for vigilance throughout the organization.