When we think of “maps,” we may instantly think of geographical representations
of paths, streets, suburbs, cities, regions or countries. These
maps help us fi nd a fast and effi cient way from origin A to destination B. In
ancient times, maps were drawn on cloth, leather or other kinds of fabric;
today, both paper-based and digital maps can be found everywhere. The
standard cartographic type of map provides information about physical
locations and directions. However, with advances in science, technology
and new media, other types of maps have evolved that are not limited to
geographical data. These maps represent abstract relationships between
perceived reality and temporal or conceptual information in areas such as
mathematics, genetics, engineering or architecture. Paper-based maps are
produced using information and communication technologies, and dynamic
mapping systems have been designed to take advantage of the processing
and visualizing capabilities of new media applications.
In the context of the knowledge-based economy, many economists and
public policy analysts want to capture, visualize and understand the composition,
characteristics and dynamics of services sector businesses, conglomerations
and markets in both macro- and microeconomic dimensions
(Cunningham, Hearn, Cox, Ninan, & Keane, 2003). The interrelationships
and blurring boundaries between suppliers, producers, distributors
and consumers, as well as cooperating and competing enterprises, have
traditionally been illustrated by mapping them onto horizontal and vertical
value chains and by notions of economies of scale and economies of scope.
Ownership, power and shareholder dependencies have been visualized by
mapping certain actors in the market to nodes, boxes, squares and lines in
fl ow charts, network graphs and statistical diagrams.
As this discussion suggests, there is much more to maps than their material
and cartographic forms.