"Information Alchemy is full of advocacy and analysis on the application of knowledge management to universities. These institutions are among the most knowledge-oriented of all, and it's high time they began to manage their knowledge more effectively. This book will provide a great start." --Thomas H. Davenport, director, Andersen Consulting Institute for Strategic Change, and professor, Boston University School of Management "The EDUCAUSE Leadership Strategies series has become an important resource for colleges and universities as they address the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. This latest volume provides an important introduction for campus administrators to the rapidly evolving discipline of knowledge management. Although evolving first in the business sector, knowledge management has significant implications for knowledge-intensive organizations such as the university." --James J. Duderstadt, president emeritus, University of Michigan, and director, Millennium Project "Information Alchemy offers a timely and unique assessment of the problems and prospects of knowledge management in higher education. The book is a major contribution to a subject of real importance and little prior attention." (John Leslie King, dean, School of Information, University of Michigan) Information technology is only as valuable as the knowledge it provides. For the modern organization, true success depends on using and managing that knowledge to improve products, programs, or services. This dynamic is no different for colleges and universities as they grapple with new technology and the evolving expectations of students, faculty, and staff. Written for university presidents, college deans, program directors, and other leaders in higher education, this volume presents a foundational introduction to knowledge management and its growing significance to campuses everywhere. Each chapter addresses a critical aspect of knowledge management, identifies key strategic issues, and offers practical advice and guidance on how such issues might be addressed on an institutional or departmental level. Since knowledge management is an interdisciplinary field of study and practice, the authors in this volume represent a rich array of backgrounds, disciplines, and organizational affiliations. Their expertise and insights will help readers to make sense of the information revolution and become thoughtful leaders of knowledge management.
