Know-How Sharing Using a Knowledge Sharing System KIDS - A Knowledge Management Practice at a Research Laboratory

We developed a knowledge and information on demand system, KIDS, which structures free-form text as knowledge to provide the user with knowledge fit for his natural language query. For a period of four years, we carried out knowledge sharing experiments using the system at a research center that includes around 1,000 researchers engaged in various fields such as computer science, display devices, advanced LSIs and mechanical systems. In the experiment we focused on sharing the knowledge processed by individuals; technical papers, patents and the like were excluded from the scope of the experiments because a document management system has already been implemented. An individual’s knowledge includes a knack or tips useful in the performance of research. The result shows the feasibility of integrating organized domain knowledge and personal free-form know-how. We discuss key factors for success in knowledge sharing such as text structurization, building a knowledge sharing culture, knowledge quality maintenance.