Building Smarter Networks

If one assumes that "flat world" technologies have the potential to bring people together in support of a common purpose or cause, then why is the world not yet enjoying the full benefits of these new capabilities, especially given the enormous investment society is making in network technologies. Perhaps the problem is not an embodiment of the technology itself, but rather embedded in the people that activate networking. In Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World (2008, p. 51), Prof Yoram (Jerry) Wind, Dr Victor K Fung, and Dr William K Fung argue for better orchestration of networks:

Smarter networks do not just happen. They require guidance, intelligence, a design, and an invisible or visible hand drawing together all the diverse contributions. In other words, they require orchestration. Otherwise, crowds can rapidly devolve into chaos and stupidity. Orchestration is what makes smart networks smart.

Now is the time for world-class direction in building networks that might create a better future for enterprise and society.

Reference: Fung, V K, Fung, W K, and Wind, Y (2008), Competing in a Flat World: Building Enterprises for a Borderless World, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton.