Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Chapter 8: The Global Plant Floor

Planetary Ecosystems for Designing and Making Things

"Winning companies today have open and porous boundaries and compete by reaching outside their walls to harness external knowledge, resources, and capabilities (p. 214). Many products we purchase today are designed, built and assembled by a worldwide network of suppliers. The author offers the following advice, "Regardless of the industry.... Always strive to be the best at what your customers value most, and partner for everything else (p. 236).

How could we build schools, or education institutions based on this model? Should we "orchestrate" on a global scale? Would a "modular approach" work in designing curriculum? Have we created a "transparent and egalitarian ecosystem?" How can costs and risks be shared, or should they be?

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