Projectability and Heritage Management of Design Knowledge: A Grass-Roots Artefact Perspective of a Longitudinal Research Project for Knowledge Management System Innovation

Ulrich Schmitt

doi:10.3390/su132313033

Abstract

This article expands on design science-research (DSR) publications which—based on current knowledge management systems (KM/KMS) and practices—are conceptualizing and prototyping a novel more generative and knowledge-worker-centric approach just presented as a desirable sustainable KMS vision. The perspective taken follows up on recent systematic literature reviews and content analysis studies reporting on the poor knowledge accumulation and evolution in the design, information science, and KM disciplines. Proposed remedies and initiatives are pitched against the novel KMS development case with its longitudinal stream of research output. As the design and creation of complex innovative artefacts facing ‘wicked’ challenges are seldom complemented by concurrent research papers, rare insights are offered of how similar longitudinal DSR or KMS projects may be structured and of how the related domain’s heritage knowledge base and its fitness-for-use-and-evolution may be strengthened. Due to the cycles and progression of its prior publications, this case study is particularly suited to contribute to cumulative research synthesis and, hence, further focusses on the recently proposed notions of projecting and projectability for evaluating distances between actual real-world environments and future possible-world application-ecosystems—a perspective which may become essential acceptance criteria for publishing in DSR-related conferences and journal publishing outlets.

Highlights

Introduction to the Significance of LongitudinalStudies for Design KnowledgeThe notion of ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ implies that scholarship usually “is an inherently social activity, involving a wide range of public and private interactions within a research community
The body of design science research (DSR) is growing, the “accumulation and evolution of design knowledge” (DK) has not taken shape: “Most contributions rather stand on their own feet” triggering a pressing need for “guidance on how to position design knowledge contributions in wider problem and solution spaces” [4]
As longitudinal research, the PKMS project seems to be rather an exception than the rule and, suited to add to the projectability notion referred to

Summary

Introduction

Introduction to the Significance of LongitudinalStudies for Design KnowledgeThe notion of ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ implies that scholarship usually “is an inherently social activity, involving a wide range of public and private interactions within a research community. The underlying research paradigms may combine reactive behaviors (in natural and social sciences for understanding reality) and proactive design (in engineering and technology for creating supportive artefacts) [2]. Complex projects of the latter category may typically embody “longitudinal streams of research” activities and outputs where evolving contributions need to be presented and published at appropriate times including reporting on “early visions of technology impact” as well as “impact on users, organizations and society” [3]. The body of design science research (DSR) is growing, the “accumulation and evolution of design knowledge” (DK) has not taken shape: “Most contributions rather stand on their own feet” triggering a pressing need for “guidance on how to position design knowledge contributions in wider problem and solution spaces” [4].

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