In a message dated 29/9/07 00:03:31, [log in to unmask] writes:
> the Rotman crowd presently seems to be unaware that
> problem solving preferences to a significant degree transcend disciplines.
> Awareness of this leads to quite a different innovation enabling story.
>
Years ago, I worked for ICI. People were identified by the problem area where
they worked. For example I was a flexible urethane foam person. No one
asked what discipline I had or what my degree was in. I knew my boss (section
leader) for two years before I discovered he had a degree in metererology (weather
forecasting). I have always assumed that it is only universities that are
organised in disciplines and even there lots of mixing can be found - in
management schools for example. I have studied technological innovation and found
'discipline - in terms of first degree to be nearly irrevelant. A former
accountant, for example, was responsible for the success of Beechams in discovering
semi synthetic penicillins.
So whats all this fuss about disciplines?
John Z Langrish
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