Knowledge Commoning: Scaffolding and Technoficing to Overcome Challenges of Knowledge Curation

• Published in: Information and organization Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 100410
• Main Authors: Qureshi, Israr, Bhatt, Babita, Parthiban, Rishikesan, Sun, Ruonan, Shukla, Dhirendra Mani, Hota, Pradeep Kumar, Xu, Zhejing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Indigenous knowledge; Inequality; Knowledge commons; Poverty alleviation; Social inclusion; Social intermediation; Social justice; Sustainable development; Knowledge commons; Poverty alleviation; Social intermediation; Indigenous knowledge; Social justice; Sustainable development; Social inclusion; Inequality
• DOI: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2022.100410
• ISSN: 1471-7727

Extant approaches to information provisioning to farmers to improve agricultural productivity, and thereby alleviate poverty have relied on top-down external expert-driven knowledge. Such external knowledge involves decontextualised content and the use of technical language, and is resource-intensive. An alternative view emphasises the need to explore indigenous knowledge exists in rural communities, which, in contrast, requires the use of local resources, is easily understandable, and has greater potential for adoption. This paper explores how information and communication technologies, specifically videos, can be leveraged to curate such indigenous knowledge and convert it to knowledge commons. Adopting a case study approach that involved multiple sources of data collection over a nine-year period, we unearthed a dynamic process model that we labelled as knowledge commoning. It is a process through which latent-action-oriented knowledge from high-yield farmers embedded within its social context is made available as commons. The creation of knowledge commons is an iterative process between knowledge curation and knowledge dissemination, and is guided by the demand and uptake potential within local farming communities. Further, we describe how socio-cultural barriers in knowledge commoning can be overcome through scaffolding, involving the concealment of social transformation objectives within another goal desired by the community. Technological challenges can be overcome through the process of technoficing, which encompasses pursuing social objectives using technology that is appropriate for the purpose. Building on our process model, we offer contributions to theory, practice, and policy. •Locally relevant knowledge possessed by rural farmers is latent and spread out.•Knowledge curation can be achieved through the process of knowledge commoning.•Knowledge commoning is an iterative process between curation and dissemination.•Knowledge commoning consists of five dynamic interacting elements.•A technoficing approach can address issues related to poor technological infrastructure.•A scaffolding approach can address issues related to socio-cultural barriers.