The details of the seminar are as follows:
Knowledge sharing across disciplinary boundaries in
scientific and technological research projects in a government research
organization in Thailand
Many researchers and practitioners have acknowledged the
significance of knowledge sharing and integration among members of different
disciplinary communities. In particular, the creation of new knowledge,
creative solutions, and innovation requires many different perspectives to be
brought together and cooperation between different disciplines to meet complex
societal challenges and new requirements in the knowledge economy. Reviewing
the literature related to knowledge management and knowledge sharing across
disciplinary boundaries, in particular, reveals that the majority of studies to
date have focused on new product development in the private sector in developed
countries. Few have focused on the public sector especially government research
organizations in developing countries. Furthermore, only a small number of
studies have explored the creation of a framework for managing and sharing
knowledge across boundaries.
Therefore, this study aims to explore how knowledge is
shared and integrated across disciplinary boundaries in scientific and
technological research projects in a government research organisation in a
developing country. It is a case study of the National Science and Technology
Development Agency in Thailand. More specifically, the objectives of the study
are
1. to
explain how disciplinary boundaries are socially constructed;
2. to
explore what kinds of knowledge are shared across such boundaries;
3. to
explore through what kinds of processes this knowledge is shared and integrated;
4. to
identify which factors are facilitators or obstacles for knowledge sharing and
integration and how they influence these activities; and
5. to
develop a framework for knowledge sharing and integration in cross-disciplinary
scientific and technological research projects in a government research
organization in a developing country.
In order to accomplish the aim and objectives, this study
adopts a case study approach. Semi-structured interviews, participant
observation, and document analysis will be employed to capture researchers’ and
key informants’ perspectives and experiences of conducting cross-disciplinary
scientific and technological research projects. Data will be analysed using a
grounded theory approach.
This seminar will present the background of the study, an
overview of the related literature, and introduce the aim and objectives. It
will also present the research methods which will be used for the investigation.
