A knowledge-based information system for managing research programs and value creation in a university environment

We describe an integrated information system for managing knowledge generated from research and innovation activities in a university environment and for the creation of economic value from the resulting knowledge and innovations by using an action research methodology. The system uses a computer ontology for defining objects and provides both a corporate memory and a distribution vehicle for the knowledge and innovations invented by professors and graduate students. It comprises a set of interrelated subsystems that include scientific publications and innovations, graduate theses, professors, students, and research units. It generates statistics of research activities, a wide variety of reports and on line consultations as well as a search engine and data mining facilities for knowledge extraction. A version of the system has been operational for about a year and has been an important tool for creating wealth from the knowledge generated by the research activities.