The western civilization developed with a model of value based on a fundamental stereotype: this of crops. Such values are enjoyed by being consumed, and the resulting pleasure is exclusive. Furthermore, consumption takes place in a context of rarity, bounded by an external and universal reality. These factors were essential to develop means of quantification, and to measure value with price.

This kind of value is not appropriate anymore in a postmodern society such as ours. Most of our values only grow by being shared. This is true of art, but also of knowledge. We keep creating value without any a priori universal limits. It becomes irrelevant and even nonsensical to measure and compare value. Values cannot easily be reduced to a quantified projection onto a universal dimension.

Exclusive values may be measured. Rationalization is satisfied by calculations and predictions, which may be carried away using opaque symbols, hence support analytic decomposition well, splitting of tasks with limited communications.

Qualitative, shareable, value requires some other kind of management, focused on semantic rich communications rather than mere accounting. This would be the challenge of a sophisticated SCM?.

-- MarcGirod - 19 Nov 2011