Approaches for personalised knowledge retrieval

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe new search methods based on semantic information structures to offer a personalised and interactive knowledge retrieval to the user.Design/methodology/approachA careful look on existing “knowledge management projects” leads to a proposed approach of a “knowledge broker network” where transfer of knowledge is based on communication between humans. To enhance the quality of search results a new search algorithm (“Search Assistance Algorithm (SAA)”) is described in a simplified manner.FindingsThe paper provides information on the knowledge broker network and shows the advantages of this concept especially of the automated part.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows the proposed approach has not formally being tested yet. Some pilot studies have been made and a study especially for the SAA is planned for the near future.Practical implicationsThis approach has the potential to change the way of transfer of knowledge using a knowledge broker network based on knowledge management systems, which could be improved by our SAA in practice.Originality/valueUsing knowledge management systems in a “standard way” by feeding in information and using retrieval methods is not optimal for sharing knowledge between humans. To provide and update information is very cost‐intensive. Using “meta‐information” about “who is expert in which area” and bring information‐seeker and experts together could be the optimal method. This knowledge broker network helps to bring this idea into reality.