3. Energy through Fusion

Fusion creates energy through combining elements. In our SIS world, we work hard to encourage and achieve fusion along a number of dimensions and interfaces which are described in more detail below.

We strive to encourage fusion across:

•  Our research work AND our education programmes

•  The world of theory and method (as reflected in our academic publications) AND the real-world problems and applications in complex business and industry settings

•  Our five SIS areas:

•  Data Management/Business Intelligence AND
•  Information Security/Trust AND
•  Software Systems/Architecture/Integration AND
•  Intelligent Decision Support AND
•  Information Systems Management

•  IT methods and their foundation building blocks AND larger-scale applications, systems and solutions

•  IT applications AND industry domains AND business processes

•  The technology side of information systems AND the management side

•  Our work in the SMU School of Information Systems AND work in the other SMU schools

•  SMU SIS AND other research and academic institutions locally and globally that work in related areas and with a similar spirit and mindset

•  SMU SIS AND Carnegie Mellon University, through our strategic partnership (started in 2003)

While fusion can release fantastic amounts of energy, it is not easy to achieve.

The power that can be achieved through fusion can only be realised through concentrating energy in highly focused and specially crafted ways.

The concept of fusion as described above is a metaphor for interdisciplinary work. We strongly support and encourage interdisciplinary work.