Global access to knowledge: Findings from academic research organisations in sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Adekunle Okunoye; Helena Karsten

Source: Information Technology & People, Volume 16, Number 3, 2003 , pp. 353-373(21)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

A major area of global knowledge management is in the practice of academic research. Studies how the Internet was used to support knowledge management in six non-corporate research organisations in sub-Saharan Africa. For knowledge acquisition, abstract and article databases and field-specific Web sites were considered the most important services. For knowledge transfer, e-mail, and especially e-mail attachments, were considered crucial in overcoming the slowness of other means of communication. For knowledge application, communication with collaborators and publishers helped bring African research communities more visibility. Despite limited availability and infrastructure problems, some researchers had made headway in using the Internet to improve acquisition and transfer of knowledge, but not knowledge storage. Researchers in other areas of the globe may benefit from a fuller understanding of the issues and challenges facing their sub-Saharan colleagues as an important step towards improving collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Keywords: Internet; Africa; Research Organizations; Development

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09593840310489421

Publication date: 2003-09-03