Study of sharing knowledge resources in business schools

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a common business school framework based on knowledge resources that are available in business schools. To support the arguments made based on review literature, the paper presents the holistic framework of knowledge resources in a business school and also provides a knowledge value chain in sharing the resources. The paper then applies the framework to study the provisions of knowledge recourses in a business school to examine the effect of knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on insights from review literature the paper starts from a broad view on knowledge sharing in business schools. Then the paper proposes a knowledge‐sharing framework. To evaluate the framework, the paper investigates one of the business school's knowledge sharing tools. Wherever data were insufficient, logical interpretation is provided. The framework is compared with respect to business schools. Then it is analyzed with the business school's online knowledge sharing tool.

Findings

The paper finds that the rapid pace of change in knowledge resources is increasingly influencing the creation, publication and dissemination of educational materials and sharing information – thus, finally having an impact on learning. The paper finds that there is an urgent need to share all the knowledge resources in business schools for effective delivery. Some important general observations are argued for, while studying the online knowledge‐sharing tool. First, effective information technology infrastructure for sharing knowledge resources is a must, and second, all the resources need to be shared online. The paper finds that the purpose of knowledge sharing in business schools would create value in the form of academic and personal value.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful suggestions for business schools to adopt knowledge‐sharing tools. The framework proposed can be adopted by any business school worldwide to enhance their ratings and processes. The paper reveals through study that, business schools must actively explore the immense potential and the wide ramifications of the knowledge resources that are hidden in different academic domains rather than just waiting to adopt passively some tool at different academic domains. This paper sets out to inspire business school leaders to find out more on knowledge sharing tools. The chosen research strategy was to study business schools and analyze their content, looking for similarities and complementarities in their nature and their strategies with respect to knowledge sharing. First, the paper identified existing systems, examining available processes in the business school, and expanding them through more searches. This paper is based on reflections combined with inputs from informal discussions and interviews conducted with several management educators, management consultants, management students and managers, which had taken place at several meetings, seminars and conferences over the last few years.

Citation

Ranjan, J. (2011), "Study of sharing knowledge resources in business schools", The Learning Organization, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 102-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696471111103713