--- In [email protected], Todd Biske 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> It's hard to take a blanket statement regarding redundant  
capabilities and say whether it is good or bad.  Part of it depends  
on the current corporate governance policies …


Indeed, it's real a dilemma. I say it's a paradox - an inefficiency 
paradox. The paradox is effectiveness requires redundancy. Moreover, 
I say it's better starting analysis with the paradox not the 
individual firm (1). Anne starts her analysis with the paradox, I 
think. She said, "If the system were truly service orientated, it 
would no longer have redundant capabilities …" I think she is saying 
the aim or goal of SOA is universality (and that refactoring 
redundancies a lifestyle), but, note the `if' and `truly' – this is 
describing the ideal, the reality is there will always be 
redundancies. The inefficiency paradox will always exist 
because "maximum impact may require inefficient (redundant) 
production" (2).

For me, business and politics is all about - who has to go to who on 
whose terms for what [services]. Sorting all this out, well, starting 
with the inefficiency paradox is very helpful approach for me. You 
see how people are simply playing the paradox and that's what's 
driving industries. So, SOA reframes the reality of the inefficiency 
paradox (good) - update who has to go to who on whose terms for what -
 but SOA can't eliminate the paradox itself.

I hope this makes sense.

Galen

(1) The Nature of the Firm (1937), R. H. COASE
"Since there is apparently a trend in economic theory towards 
starting analysis with the individual firm and not with the 
industry, .."

(2) "Paradox, process and perception: the role of organizations in 
clinical practice guidelines development", by Steven Lewis, MA. 
"Science aims for objectivity and universal application. Logically, 
national and even international guidelines would seem to be both 
feasible and efficient. However, other things being equal, physicians 
respond more readily to the counsel of their peers and local opinion 
leaders. Effective CPGs almost invariably have a local champion with 
credibility and clout in the community or institution. The paradox is 
that maximum impact may require inefficient (redundant) production, 
which may result in a series of similar, and in some cases identical, 
guidelines."

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