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Knowledge is becoming more and more important as an individual good, and as a social and economic resource. The research project outlined in this publication focuses on the question how knowledge processes can be optimally stimulated in the cooperative context of forum-based Online Knowledge Communities (OKCs). Starting point of the research is a literature review and the outline of individual hypotheses on the basis of an interdisciplinary body of research from the fields of computer and management science. Following the literature review, an empirical study is presented and discussed. The empirical part is founded on an Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)-based calculation of knowledge process contribution values and a Structural Equation Model analysis (SEM)-based hypotheses test of individual factors of impact on individuals' knowledge process contributions. The publication integrates existing, fragmented research into an integrated model of forum-based collaborative knowledge management.
List of contents
Contents: Changing Learning and Work Environments: Lifelong Learning and Knowledge Work - Knowledge Economies - Knowledge Corporations, Institutions, and Organizations - Collaborative Learning and Work Environments: Online Knowledge Communities - Knowledge Processes: Knowledge Creation, Capture, Transfer, and Utilization - Definitions (and Synonyms) of Knowledge Transfer and Creation - Literature Review: System, Content, Social, and User Aspects - Empirical Study - Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA): Measurement of Knowledge Process Contribution Values - Structural Equation Model Analysis (SEM): Hypotheses Testing of Factors of Impact on Individuals' Knowledge Process Contributions - Discussion and Practical Implications.
About the author
The Author: Felix J. Schmitz-Justen studied Economics and Computer Science at the University of Heidelberg (Germany), the University of London (United Kingdom), and Sussex University (United Kingdom). From 2000 to 2004 he worked as a research associate at the Fraunhofer-Institute for Media Communication IMK (Germany). He then worked as a research associate at the International University Bremen IUB (Germany) and obtained his doctorate in Information Science in 2005. He is currently continuing his research with a focus on Collaborative Knowledge Management and Lifelong Learning.
Report
«The result is an integrated set of what had previously been fragmented research and a usable model for further research and evaluation of online knowledge communities now so prevalent in virtually every discipline of study.» (Reference & Research Book News)
