Notice and Invitation

Oral Defense of Doctoral Dissertation
The Volgenau School of Engineering, George Mason University 

Mario W. Cardullo

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, New York University Polytechnic Institute, 1957
Master of Mechanical Engineering, New York University Polytechnic Institute, 1959

Master of Engineering Administration, George Washington University, 1966

Development of Information and Knowledge Architectures and an Associated Framework and Methodology for System Management of a Global Reserve Currency

Thursday, April 18, 2013, 2 – 4 pm

Room 4801

All are invited to attend.

Committee
Dr. Andrew P. Sage, Chair
Dr. Alexander H. Levis
Dr. Janos J. Gertler

Dr. Ariela Sofer

Abstract

The global financial system appears to be heading for a major financial crisis.  This crisis is being driven by a growing global debt. This crisis is not limited to nations that are heavily in debt such as Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy or Cyprus but to such others as the United States.  While there has been a great deal of emphasis on debt there are many other issues. In many cases, the underlying causes of this potential crisis are very complex.  As this dissertation will show, it is the complexity of these causes and their interrelationships, coupled with a lack of a global financial management system, which may be the real culprit in the potentially impending global financial crisis. 

One very important aspect of these potential crises is the state of the world reserve currency and how it is managed.  The concept of reserve currencies is widely recognized and these currencies are often used for international transactions.  There is a very long history of the concept of a reserve currency.  This history involves a combination of economic and political powers, real or perceived, that may influence global reserve currencies.

Recent years have witnessed a tremendous growth in information systems and communication systems that facilitate the design and implementation of complex inter-enterprise processes. The basic hypothesis of this dissertation is that an appropriately structured global reserve currency, based on use of an information and knowledge management system, can provide stability to currencies, whereas an unmanaged single or unstructured group of currencies will not provide currency stability. The proposed Information and Knowledge Architectures for System Management of a Global Reserve Currency (IKASM-GRC) can provide a system and methodology which can stabilize a reserve currency.

A copy of this doctoral dissertation is on reserve at the Johnson Center Library.