Examining the Roles of ICTs in Collaborative Networking between Academia and Industry

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

This study will examine the ways in which Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) enable the development of collaborative, boundary-spanning networks between academic and industry scientists working in three disciplinary areas, 1) oceanography, 2) marine biology and 3) astronomy. The methodology combines survey techniques with semi-structured interviews, in-depth case studies, and network analysis to provide a detailed view of how these scientists use ICTs to gather data, store and share information, and communicate with one another. The results of this research will provide a better understanding of the use of ICTs in inter-organizational scientific collaborations, and the ways in which these collaborations may enable economic development, technological innovation, and advances in science.