Ant+Farm+Assignment

The class will be graded as a single group on this assignment. You don't need to sign your work. I will be able to determine everything I need by viewing the data on the history tab.

Read the article at the AllBusiness web site entitled, "Lessons from the ant farm: looking for efficient solutions to tough problems? Forget corporate case studies. Embrace the offbeat." The link to the article will open in a new window.

After you've logged in, click the edit tab on the far right of this page to be able to enter your answers. Don't forget that this is a mass collaboration assignment. You should make a limited initial contribution being careful to leave material for other students to add. Don't forget to save! Check back on the wiki closer to the deadline; then you have full editioral liberties to correct, delete, or add to the work of others. Full editorial privileges begin at noon on March 11. That leaves March 9, 10, and the morning of the 11th for initial contributions. I will not consider any contributions made after March 11 @ 11:59 PM.

= =

**What is biomimicry?**
= = Biomimicry (meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is the act of examining nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from, in order to solve human problems [|sustainably]. Simply put, it's how we learn from nature and use what we learn in both personal and business situations. The effects of Biomimicry can be felt in everything from energy consumption to building designs. As an example, Biomimicry was used in the invention of Velcro Brand fasteners. In 1948, a Swiss engineer, named George De Mestral, took a deeper look into the burrs that were sticking to his dog's fur. He found that the spines on the burrs would stick to anything with a loop. Based off of this, he invented two patches: one with hooks and the other with nylon material. Today we commonly refer to this as Velcro.[] I also encourage you to check out [].

How is the science of biomimicry affecting organizations?
The science of biomimicry affects organizations by helping them find efficient solutions to difficult problems. In doing a little research online I found a few examples of great things that have come from biomimicry. Looking at these examples shows the positive influence on our world, and the organizations within it. We learned about energy absorption from leaves, which to me is such a phenomenal concept. By studying the leaf cells and finding an answer to how they best utilize and store energy from the sun, we were able to improve our solar cells significantly. This is a very important revelation for two major reasons: our ability to improve a current technology, and acknowledging the natural abilities and processes found in nature. This is a great way to promote going green, using efficient solar cells developed from the studies of leaves! I love the idea of learning from nature, not just taking from it. I thought that the website was overall a great source of information and examples of how biomimicry has helped us out. http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/about-us/what-is-biomimicry.html

An excellent example of biomimicry affecting an organization is Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines used "swarm intelligence" to optimize their cargo operations. The way that they completely overhauled their business processes fits into the transform aspect of the Run-Grow-Transform (RGT) business framework. Biomimicry can also be used as a bottom line strategy to cut costs. We see this as well with Southwest Airlines, as they were able to save more than $10 million a year by looking at the way that common insects, and ant colony, forage for food, and implementing those concepts into their cargo operations.

Organizations are beginning to see the benefits of biomimicry in areas such as logistics, decision-making, overcoming obstacles, and adapting to changes in their environments. According to our text, if an organization can optimize their primary value processes such as logistics or operations, they will add value to their business. Added value, lowered costs, and transforming the ways they do business are just a few of the reasons organizations are beginning to use biomimicry. @http://www.allbusiness.com/business-planning-structures/business-structures/477340-1.html

**Identify an application you might foresee in the use of biomimicry. Include a link to your source.**
One possible application for Biomimicry can be found in photovoltaics (solar power). Like nature's plants drawing energy from the sun (photosynthesis), buildings of the future could draw power from the sun by integrating solar panels into their construction. "Where before solar panels were placed on top of roofs they can now serve as the roof membrane themselves, replacing conventional metal roofs or shingles". These buildings would rely on power plants and fossil fuels little to none at all, as they would each provide their own source of electricity. Photovoltaic cells would not only decrease a company's utility expense, but also be beneficial in preserving and protecting our planet. @http://elements.bnim.com/resources/livingbuildingright.html

===**Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan remarked that, “…the US is no longer measured in locomotives and factories; it is instead measured in ideas and people.” How does this relate to the 3 main aspects/components of an MIS, people, information, and technology?**=== The "ideas and people" that Greenspan referred to make up two of the components of a MIS: the people and the information. Technology also comes into play because it is a way to have ideas interact with society and the environment. People and ideas are the backbone of MIS. Ideas refer both to information and technology as well as the use of these two aspects. Greenspan said it is "the growing use of information technology throughout the economy that makes the current period unique." Due to a myriad of information technology advances, management information systems are evolving to become more efficient than ever before.

The assets of the corporate world have changed, as stated in the article, in relation to the three main aspects of a MIS. The financial strength or physical (tangible) assets of a company were once the best determinant of a companies worth. These days though, a well trained, dedicated workforce, combined with knowledge, innovation, and adaptability are what defines the leaders and their worth.

**Looking back to Chapter 2; the article discusses corporate culture and innovation in the section, “The deviant’s advantage”. How does this section relate to Figure 2.8 on page 51 of the Haag text?**
The deviant advantage discussed in the reading can be related directly to the Philosophical Approach to IT (figure on page 51). Though this model describes many different approaches businesses can take towards new information, the Deviant Advantage can be seen as technology innovation failure (in the figure). These are the companies that embrace outside thinking, and are seen as early adopters of new technology, rather than waiting for proof of the technology's return-on-investment (ROI). In this approach, employees have more freedom to "test drive" innovations, which can lead to the discovery of significant competitive advantages.

As the article has described, the "deviant's advantage" has been shown to be a very effective business practice. It has differentiated the small fries from the big dogs, and shot some of the most well known businesses today through the roof and past the competition. Though some businesses feel a more centralized "wait-and-see" approach will keep them in the game, this article has shown us that a decentralized and early adoption of new IT is used by the businesses which will beat out the competition.