Szinergia

Szinergia (Hungarian for synergy) denotes a phenomenon in which the combined effect of two or more components exceeds the sum of their individual effects. The term derives from the Greek synergia, meaning “working together.”

In business and management, synergies are expected from collaborations, mergers, and cross-functional teams, reducing costs, expanding capabilities, or creating new value that neither party could achieve alone. In science and medicine, synergy describes interactions where agents enhance each other’s effects, such as drug combinations producing greater therapeutic effect than either alone.

Synergy is often distinguished from additivity (the expected combined effect assuming independent action) and from antagonism (where one component reduces the effect of another). Methods for assessing synergy include isobolographic analysis and combination-index approaches; results depend on context, endpoints, and dosage.

Although appealing, observed synergy should be interpreted cautiously, as apparent benefits may reflect non-linear dosing, measurement biases, or shifting baselines.