The complexity of the research enterprise cannot be understood through the lens of a single discipline or analytical model. No one viewpoint or perspective provides a complete picture. However, five themes consistently emerge as useful for studying and improving the enterprise:

• understanding the multiple value propositions that stakeholders bring to the enterprise and how they are aligned, are complementary, or in conflict
• understanding how work is done by individuals and groups within and across organizations
• understanding how individuals, groups, and organizations collaborate across the boundaries of structure, time, and place
• understanding how knowledge is captured, managed, and used within the enterprise
• understanding how to choose, use, manage, and support information technology investments