Organizational Knowledge Mapping Based on Library Information System

One of the most popular techniques for identifying knowledge in organizations is knowledge mapping. It can help decision makers to better understand the knowledge flow within the organizations. Mapping organizations knowledge, especially in research institutes, has attracted much attention from senior managements in recent years. Libraries, among the most important parts of research institutes, have a significant role in scientific advances. Due to this important role, many knowledge operations take place in collaboration with libraries. All of library transactions including users borrowing and returning logs and also books metadata are recorded in library information systems. Users' transaction logs are rich resources to extract information about knowledge operations in an organization. In this paper we propose a new methodology for drawing knowledge map, based on library information system logs. Our proposed methodology contains five steps including data collection and making data warehouse, data preprocessing and refinement, applying knowledge mapping algorithm for extracting input data for mapping, drawing knowledge map and finally analyzing the results. According to this methodology, we have drawn the IRANDOC knowledge map emphasizing interdisciplinary domains based on library information system users’ logs. IRANDOC knowledge map shows most studied subjects and also interrelation between them which are invaluable source of knowledge for IRANDOC decision makers in order to initiate research projects.