A framework for knowledge integration and diffusion
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/00220411211200310 |
| Pages | 31-44 |
| Published date | 13 January 2012 |
| Date | 13 January 2012 |
| Author | Yuxian Liu,Ismael Rafols,Ronald Rousseau |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
A framework for knowledge
integration and diffusion
Yuxian Liu
Tongji University Library, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, and
University of Antwerp (UA), IBW, Antwerp, Belgium
Ismael Rafols
Science and Technology Policy Research (SPRU), University of Sussex,
Brighton, UK, and Technology Policy Assessment Center,
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and
Ronald Rousseau
University of Antwerp (UA), IBW, Antwerp, Belgium,
Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, KHBO (Association KU Leuven),
Oostende, Belgium, and Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven, Leuven
(Heverlee), Belgium
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to introduce a general framework for the analysis of knowledge
integration and diffusion using bibliometric data.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors propose that in order to characterise knowledge
integration and diffusion of a given issue (the source, for example articles on a topic or by an
organisation, etc.), one has to choose a set of elements from the source (the intermediary set, for
example references, keywords, etc.). This set can then be classified into categories (cats), thus making
it possible to investigate its diversity. The set can also be characterised according to the coherence of a
network associated to it.
Findings – This framework allows a methodology to be developed to assess knowledge integration
and diffusion. Such methodologies can be useful for a number of science policy issues, including the
assessment of interdisciplinarity in research and dynamics of research networks.
Originality/value – The main contribution of this article is to provide a simple and easy to use
generalisation of an existing approach to study interdisciplinarity, bringing knowledge integration
and knowledge diffusion together in one framework.
Keywords Knowledge integration, Knowledge diffusion,Interdisciplinarity, Diversity,Coherence,
Diversity management, Knowledge management
Paper type Conceptual paper
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0022-0418.htm
Ismael Rafols acknowledges support from the US National Science Foundation (Award
No. 0830207, “Measuring and tracking research knowledge integration”; http://idr.gatech.edu/).
The findings and observations contained in this paper are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Ronald Rousseau and Yuxian
Liu thank Zhang Xiaolin, Executive Director of the National Science Library, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, and his colleague Yang Liying for their hospitality during their visit, when work on
this article began.
Work of the authors is supported by NSFC Grant No. 71173154.
Knowledge
integration and
diffusion
31
Received 19 July 2010
Revised 13 February 2011
Accepted 1 March 2011
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 68 No. 1, 2012
pp. 31-44
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/00220411211200310
To continue reading
Request your trial