Editorial
I often describe the happenings of the new economy as one of convergence. Picture, if you will, a tapestry or mosaic, made up of many small pieces, all different in nature, yet all contributing to the incredible whole. It is that diversity, that variety, that contributes to the richness of the work of art. I want to continue using that metaphor in describing the many articles, and our executive interview, that are contained in this issue of VINE. The authors’ origins have many places on the map; they bring their cultural flavors with them; and their topics are diverse – covering a multitude of subjects that impact on the information and knowledge systems of the twenty-first century economy. They all, in their unique way, contribute to the richness of our theories and practices. I will not, as customary, cite each author in this editorial; you can easily find them, and their titles, in the contents page. What I would like to do, however, is to acknowledge their continued richness that has been one of the hallmarks of this journal –appropriately named VINE. As a vine, we have many branches which contribute to the whole. We often forget that it does take such blends to produce the finest of wines that cross our palate. One of the largest corporations in the USA, Lockheed Martin, measures their performance by what they call a Diversity Maturity Model. They cite this model as a “critical business measure to our goal of achieving a fully inclusive environment”. They have a strong commitment to diversity. We also know that it is this convergence which contributes to innovation. Most ideas happen at the boundaries of disciplines: witness the discovery of DNA (mathematics and chemistry); or that of e=mc2 (the convergence of physics and mathematics). Jack Welch, former CEO, coined the term “boundaryless”organization to describe this phenomenon. Imagine a world, an organization,without boundaries, where we can both seek and enrich the information and knowledge bases of each other. It is from those origins that creativity emerges;people get excited and see new purposes; and everyone delights in the wonder of each other. Knowledge is an infinite resource, and it knows no boundaries. Nobel prize winners inhabit all places on the planet. As Tom Friedman so aptly stated:the world is indeed flat.
Before I close this seventh editorial, I would like to acknowledge two newcomers to our journal: Drs Mirghani Mohamed and Charles Bixler. Dr Mohamed has the unique distinction of having both the PhD and DSc to his academic credentials – quite a feat for any person. His depth and breadth in the information and knowledge management arenas is phenomenal. I was fortunate to be his doctoral adviser, and also publish with him. He is a winner in every sense of the word; and we are privileged to have him as a new portfolio editor, where he skillfully converges the telecommunications, information and knowledge areas. He has both a portfolio article and a featured article in this edition. Charles Bixler was the first Doctor of Science in knowledge management (KM) at George Washington University. Dr Bixler is the epitome of convergence for KM theory and practice. As a former ace fighter pilot, he knows well how to engage a target and win in every sense of the word. You should find his thoughts of great value.
I encourage you to challenge us in the truest sense of the word. In order for us to advance the theories and practices of information and knowledge systems,we have to continue to hear your inputs, and converge them, so that we produce the new mosaics and tapestries of management practices and theories for the twenty-first century organizations.
Michael Stankosky
