We don't have to choose both. All kidding aside, my point was that we would use items from other systems to make our system a success. They then would improve their system, or not. In my example above, we had four choices by using data from other sources. I wasn't advocating blind choices, but looking at all possible inputs or upgrades to ones own system.
Successful systems are open systems.
IBM may have started it, but everyone else has capitalized on it. I am not responding to your posting as if I were affronted, but realizing that I may have not stated my point well enough the first time. The following is a NIST information piece on the subject noted above. These conclusions are incorrect. The focus of the Baldrige Award is enhancing competitiveness.