In search of the enterprise of the future
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/03055720610703524 |
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| Pages | 231-237 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Author | Arthur J. Murray,Kent A. Greenes |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
WORKPLACE INNOVATION:
ENTERPRISE OF THE FUTURE
In search of the enterprise
of the future
Arthur J. Murray
Applied Knowledge Sciences, Inc., Boyce, Virginia, USA and
Institute for Knowledge and Innovation,
The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA, and
Kent A. Greenes
Greenes Consulting, Encinitas, California, USA and
Institute for Knowledge and Innovation,
The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to begin the process of identifying the attributes which
characterize the enterprise of the future (EOF). An initial list of attributes which organizations will
need to exhibit in order to compete in a flat world is presented. A formal definition of the EOF is also
included.
Design/methodology/approach – The list of attributes was generated as a collaborative effort by
members of the Enterprise of the Future Roundtable, and the EOF online community of knowledge
management thought leaders and researchers.
Findings – The group concluded that the attributes which define a model EOF can be grouped into
the previously validated four pillars of knowledge management: leadership, organization, learning,
and technology. Although the underlying premise for the four pillars remains the same, recent
research into the EOF has yielded new insights regarding the internal makeup of these pillars.
Originality/value – Twentieth century enterprise models are already proving inadequate for
responding to the problems and issues of the knowledge era. The list of attributes developed here
will serve as a guide to seek out and identify organizationswhichserveasillustrationsofmodel
EOF behaviors. The goal is to use the combined list of attributes and examples as a guide for
helping organizations transform themselves into high-performance, knowledge-based
organizations.
Keywords Business enterprises, Know ledge management, Social networks, Employees,
Corporate strategy,Forecasting
Paper type Viewpoint
In our quest to build the Enterprise of the Future (EOF), we are at a point where we need
to begin looking for model companies and organizations which are exhibiting EOF
behaviors. Certainly, we do not expect to find any one organization that does it all. Plus,
the very nature of future enterprise means that we will be looking at moving targets.
What we observe in an organization today may not be present, or even relevant, a few
years down the road. Organizations exhibiting model EOF behaviors today will need
continually to learn, adapt and transform themselves, in order to sustain the high levels of
innovation and performance necessary to maintain leadership in a flat world.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0305-5728.htm
In search of the
enterprise of the
future
231
VINE: The journal of information and
knowledge management systems
Vol. 36 No. 3, 2006
pp. 231-237
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0305-5728
DOI 10.1108/03055720610703524
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