From information commons to knowledge commons. Building a collaborative knowledge sharing environment for innovative communities
| Date | 10 April 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910947593 |
| Pages | 247-257 |
| Published date | 10 April 2009 |
| Author | Ren Shuhuai,Sheng Xingjun,Lin Haiqing,Cao Jialin |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
From information commons to
knowledge commons
Building a collaborative knowledge sharing
environment for innovative communities
Ren Shuhuai and Sheng Xingjun
Shanghai University Library, Shanghai, China
Lin Haiqing
University of Auckland Library, Auckland, New Zealand, and
Cao Jialin
Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
Abstract
Purpose – Based on the information commons service model, the aim of this article is to propose a
new model for knowledge commons. It seeks to define the conceptual model and constructing
framework of knowledge commons, which aim for a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment to
support innovative community activities of university library.
Design/methodology/approach – By analyzing the innovation activities of communities, infusing
theories of knowledge management, collaboration and Library 2.0, the knowledge commons
conceptual model is brought forward to improve communication, collaboration, sharing and
conversation.
Findings – Since the innovative community is interdisciplinary and cross-campus, the scattered
research team and study group requires a library to extend the services to a logical system, while the
virtual layer is to make this spatial decentralized and logically centralized system a reality. The core
elements, namely information technology, organization and management, culture and spirit, make up
the supporting layer, of which, trust and collaboration culture for innovation is important.
Practical implications – Research work and practice of information commons and library 2.0 have
aroused a new round of the library service movement, while the knowledge commons conceptual
model would provide steering for a knowledge sharing environment.
Originality/value – In this paper, the new model is based on information commons and assimilating
the theories of knowledge management, collaboration and Library 2.0, intended to integrate digital
library, physical resource, virtual resource and human resource into a whole. It is of great importance
for the library to serve education and scientific research well.
Keywords Knowledge sharing,Communities, Digital libraries,Computer applications
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
With the implementation of a strategy of invigorating the country with science and
education and strengthening it with talents, scientific and technological innovation as
well as educational innovation are becoming one of the most important missions of a
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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This research was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China
(No. 07BTQ014).
Knowledge
sharing
environment
247
Received 30 September 2008
Revised 30 November 2008
Accepted 3 December 2008
The Electronic Library
Vol. 27 No. 2, 2009
pp. 247-257
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470910947593
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