James R. Doyle

Some More Thoughts on Globalization and Index Medicus

| GLOBALIZATION Iam writing this editorial commentary on a Dell Laptop computer, and as previously noted in my commentary in volume 9:4, this computer represents a prime example of the concept of Bglobalization^ as postulated by Friedman in The World is Flat. This computer was designed based on customer input that was then translated into an electronic device by collaborative efforts of design engineers in Taiwan and the United States. The component parts were manufactured in various parts of the world and assembled in one of several Dell assembly facilities in various countries. The similarities between my computer and Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (THUES) are striking. This journal represents a Bglobal^ effort with an internationally based Editorial Board, a truly global publisher, and Bcomponent parts^ (the submitted manuscripts) from around the world. One striking dissimilarity is that THUES does not approach the unit volume capacity of Dell Computer that sells, on an average day, 140,000 to 150,000 computers.

Another Goal Achieved Plus Some Thoughts on Globalization

This commentary is being written on a Dell laptop computer that represents a prime example of the concept of ‘‘globalization’’ or as Friedman postulates, ‘‘The World is Flat’’. This laptop was designed based upon customer input that was translated into an electronic device by engineers in the United States and Taiwan and assembled in one of several assembly plants in southeast Asia from component parts made by multiple international manufacturers (many with recognizable names) with production facilities immediately adjacent to a Dell assembly facility. These components are delivered to the assembly plant on demand within a matter of hours based upon the volume and nature of the orders placed with Dell. The order of magnitude is illustrated by the fact that an average sales day for Dell is 140,000 to 150,000 computers. So what does globalization have to do with Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (THUES)? A recent review of the sources of the various published papers in THUES and a review of the countries of origin of our Editorial Board indicates that we are ‘‘global.’’ You will also be pleased to know that all of our manuscript submissions are ‘‘online’’ and that peer review and tracking is performed ‘‘online.’’ This is a subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) reminder that those useful techniques that you have developed may be easily shared with the rest of us on this ‘‘flat planet.’’ Please be assured that your submissions will always receive a courteous and timely response from the Editors and Editorial Board. l