Project Overview

This project aims to study the potential for nonprofit organisations (NPOs) to adopt low-cost tools (eg social media) for knowledge sharing. It plans to use an innovative qualitative design combining expertise in knowledge management, information behaviour and web usability to explore how NPOs manage knowledge to support their mission as they adopt emerging technologies. In an increasingly competitive environment, NPOs must maximise productivity by using low-cost, appropriate technologies. Results may inform the design of new tools and staff training to support NPOs’ goals.

This research will directly impact non-profit organisations (NPOs), as findings will be shared with participants and across the sector to improve daily information and technology practices. The results will be used to guide NPOs in the adoption of new tools for knowledge management (KM) to enhance productivity. The unique qualitative design, combining web usability, KM and information behaviour will also guide future development of research approaches within other organisational contexts.

Funding: Australian Research Council, Discovery Project. $145,000 (AUD)

Partner Investigator: Dr. Dinesh Rathi, Associate Professor at the School of Library and Information Sciences, University of Alberta, brings specialised expertise in knowledge management, social media use and non-profit organisations.