Creativity in MS/OR: Expanding knowledge by consolidating knowledge

The accumulation of knowledge in a discipline follows one of two epistemologies. One approach treats knowledge accumulation as if many researchers were throwing mud at a wall. The mud that sticks (is published or, more appropriately, used) is knowledge and should be retained. That which falls off should be discarded. This viewpoint suggests that the more individuals there are throwing different kinds of mud, the more likely it is that some of them will throw something that sticks. While this viewpoint corresponds to the creativity principle that quantity breeds quality, many criticize it as breeding a large amount of poor research. Many point the finger of blame at the publish-or-perish tenure system. A second viewpoint suggests that knowledge accumulates from individuals carefully mapping out areas likely to yield good information and good results, rather than from random search. This approach avoids duplication, provides better insights, eliminates old mistakes, and builds creatively on previous accomplishments. To this end, Arnold Reisman presents some throughts and insights about taxonomies as tools for consolidating knowledge and fostering creativity in management science.