ABSTRACT
The uses of deception in natural systems and organisations are manifest. The natural world contains innumerable examples of camouflage and behaviours, whose purpose is to confuse or to create illusion. Examples include the octopus that changes colour to match the ocean bottom, or the bird that feigns injury to distract a predator away from its young. In organisations, there is a myriad of behaviours that are intended to create an illusion, from ubiquitous advertising to the well-formatted and favourable annual report. In fact, deception is a fundamental aspect of strategy.
