fostering multidisciplinary collaboration to advance knowledge management into the university of...

Dr. Nitza Hernández, Dr. Carlos Suárez & Dr. Eliut Flores

Graduate School of Information Sciences and Technology

University of Puerto Rico

Fostering Multidisciplinary Collaboration to Advance Knowledge Management into the

University of Puerto Rico’s Graduate Studies

Area: 9, 104 km2

Capital: San Juan

Population: About 4 million

Languages: Spanish & English

Government: self governing, unincorporated territory of USA

Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products and tourism

Puerto Rico vital statsegcti.upr.edu

Trends and Initiatives in Puerto Rico since 2000 – “Knowledge Economy”

Government discourse acknowledging KE Legislative bills to foster the KE Professional associations conferences on KE Newspaper articles on related issues Research papers and theses on KM and KE Industry leadership with economic proposals Academic seminars and conferences

1. How can the Island of Puerto Rico be transformed into a knowledge-based economy and society to play a significant role in the international and networked global community?

2. How can the field of knowledge management (KM) be placed at the forefront of a cooperative agenda to help transform our economy towards greater social equity and quality of life in Puerto Rico?

3. What opportunities present the knowledge economy and KM to information professionals in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean?

Research Questions or Driving Concerns

egcti.upr.edu

Multidisciplinary Seminar on Knowledge Management

December 2006 – June 2007

An Eclectic Group – 15 participants

Faculty: LIS, Psych, Comm, Educ, Bus Adm, Economics

Industry Participants: IT & Finances

Goal and Objectives Foster and lead a collaborative effort between the

academia, and the private and public sector to move forward a KM agenda for graduate research and collaboration at the University of Puerto Rico

Demonstrate the viability of adopting a multidisciplinary collaboration model and use collaborative technologies

Determine the need for KM-specialized educational options and professional training certifications on the Island

Research the potential of knowledge management and the knowledge economy for the future of innovation and economic development of Puerto Rico

Method: Collaboration Strategies

Four work-groups by thematic areas Planning, study and discussions Collaborative writing and presentations

Virtual environment Online library & document sharing Asynchronic communication & collaboration

Plenary sessions of entire group Group presentations and debates Video recording to document sessions and

provide online access to researchers

Blackboard platform for e-learning &collaboration

Plenary sessions were videotaped and now can be accessed

through our website

egcti.upr.edu

Lessons Learned The value of collaboration with faculty from other

fields and professionals from other sectors

Multidisciplinary dialogue enhances the LIS perspective and outreach of KM interests and initiatives

This type of project requires substantial technical, research, and document management support and resources

Successful implementation of online collaboration tools and strategies need time, effort, organization, support and motivation

Seminar participants adopted a multidisciplinary collaboration model and e-learning technologies

Excellent synergy and discussions among group participants

75 selected bibliographic resources on KM uploaded in the virtual space

Written and electronic deliverables developed, a couple to be published

We identified preliminary indicators of demand for KM-education and professional training offerings

New alliances were established at the university level and with the public and private sector to move on a KM agenda on the Island

Some major outcomes

Next Steps & Continuation Planning and organization of a conference in

PR with international speakers (October 25-26, 2007) Co-sponsored by EGCTI and City of Caguas

Municipal Government, PR Council on Higher Education and UPR’s Continued Education Division

Grant proposal funded by UPR to conduct a curriculum revision project at the EGCTI

Master’s specialization in KM

Professional certificate in KM

Dr. Nitza Hernández: [email protected]

Dr. Carlos Suárez: [email protected]

Dr. Eliut Flores: [email protected]

http://egcti.upr.edu