A Method to Identify Candidates for Knowledge Acquisition

Abstract:

The purpose of this work is to introduce a systematic method for identifying expertise (knowledge identification). The technique, borrowed from the social sciences and known as network analysis, may be used to identify human experts as well as documented sources of knowledge within organizational settings. Network analysis is simple to administer, cost-effective, and complements interview methods. Following a discussion of the theory underlying the technique, its application in a field setting is demonstrated. The results are checked against what would be expected due to chance, and cross-validated through interviews. To ensure the efficacy of the method, know ledge identification at a second site is briefly described. The work closes with some ideas for future management information systems research using network analysis.

Key Words and Phrases::

• expert systems
• knowledge acquisition
• knowledge engineering
• knowledge identification
• network analysis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eric W. Stein

Eric W. Stein is Assistant Professor of MIS at the Pennsylvania State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Amherst College in 1979 and his Ph.D. in managerial science from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1989. His research focuses on the MIS aspects of organizational learning and memory. His current research interests include operationally defining and measuring organizational memory, developing MIS systems to support knowledge retrieval, identifying expertise in organizations, expert system development, case-based DSS, and environmental decision-making. He has published in the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and the AORN Journal, and has presented at the Academy of Management, the Conference on Expert System Applications for the Electric Power Industry, the International Conference on Social Networks, and the International Academy of Business Disciplines.