Knowledge Management in Research Organizations: an approach through the management of scientific concepts

Purpose of this paper Some scholars have recognized the important role of publicly funded basic research [1]. Among the identified benefits is an increase in " the stock of useful knowledge " available to society, which could be used for innovation and in this way contribute to economic growth [2]. Thus, it is important to support scientific activities. We propose that researchers could profit from approaches such as knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach We studied some research organizations and analyzed their knowledge management practices. We paid special attention to the realization of research projects. Findings We propose an approach based on the capitalization of all the artifacts managed during the bibliographical activities done by researchers. What is original/value of paper As sociology studies have observed that " an important component of science is 7 the generation of new concepts and modifications of existing concepts " (Dunbar, 2004), we propose to include the support of the management of scientific concepts as a way of assisting this knowledge production process. We will conclude this work by giving the basis of the definition of a software tool that should help to accomplish this activity.