Bigger brains lead to divergence of species and spinouts of companies

Learning animals and learning organisations evolve faster
George ILIEV

Statistical research on birds proves the old hypothesis that species with bigger brains diversify and evolve into other species faster. An analysis of over 7,000 bird species (or 3/4 of all known avian species) shows that those with the bigger brains relative to body size are also the ones that have diversified most, e.g. parrots, crows, owls and woodpeckers. Bigger brains allow animals to adopt more easily the behavioural changes needed to gain access to new environments or new resources, which in turn puts selection pressure on the species and can lead to its divergence into two or more species. Big brains thus facilitate changes in behaviour that result in adaptive divergence.

In a similar way learning organisations (i.e. companies that facilitate the learning of their members) are in a state of continuous transformation and the top-ranked research-led universities are more likely to launch spinout companies. Big brains seem to lead to hiving off not only in bees.

(Photo: Macaw parrot, Wikipedia)