ABSTRACT
A comparison of the central nervous system and the role of the brain with the immune system and our genes may well offer new insights into the question of which computer systems will prevail in the end. When management applies to itself a vision based on the immune system—decentralised, communicating complex information to all partners simultaneously—it will mean that the heyday of the corporate headquarters is over. The management information system is geared towards reporting upwards and giving instructions downwards, so that decisions made on the basis of input from below can be implemented. The concept of the set-up and management of a mainframe computer is very similar to that of the central nervous system. The brain and the brain cells at the centre are supported by tentacles of information lines, or nerves, which feed the central processing unit.
