Problem:

The need to share knowledge and for the collaborative technologies to do so is particularly important toSmall Island Developing States (SIDS) that are exposed to similar environmental and economic threats that can hinder their development. One of the major barriers to knowledge sharing and collaboration is that the knowledge resides in disparate sources. How do we know what sources are available and can these be made accessible to all?

Research Method:

The Design Science Research methodology was used to develop a Knowledge Broker architecture (CDMK), which provides a single point of access to knowledge resources.The CDMK was evaluated using an illustrative scenario in the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) domain in the Caribbean region.

Key Results:

In addition to the CDMK and its essential component the CDM vocabulary, a mobile App was developed which demonstrates the possibilities of the open online vocabulary and also serves as a learning resource.

Impact of Research:

• The CDMK demonstrates the use of technology to increase collaboration and efficiency in sharing knowledge resources and thus reduce the susceptibility to and effects of natural disasters not only in the Caribbean region but also in SIDS elsewhere.
• Its open access architecture can be viewed as a Public Good that benefits from the voluntary contributions of the CDM community across the Caribbean.
• The architecture has the potential to improve knowledge sharing in many different scenarios.

Reference

Rao, L., & McNaughton, M. (2018). A knowledge broker for collaboration and sharing for SIDS: the case of comprehensive disaster management in the Caribbean. Information Technology for Development, 1-23.

This research was supported by funding through the Open & Collaborative Science in Development Network (OCSDNet) research project, supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre and the UK Government's Department for International Development