Information Flow Analysis of a Knowledge Mapping-Based System for University Alumni Collaboration: a Practical Approach

Abstract

The aim of this study is to integrate knowledge mapping technique by applying information flow analysis to facilitate the collaboration between the university and its alumni by developing a knowledge mapping-based system based on a designed knowledge mapping model. Questionnaire was employed to collect data from respondents in a university to evaluate the applicability of the developed system. The collected data was further analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and exploratory factor analysis was carried out to analyze the collected data by deploying test of normality, reliability, validity, and factor analysis. Results from descriptive analysis reveal that the developed system is applicable in facilitating alumni collaboration. Besides, results indicate that the developed system provides holistic and comprehensive knowledge support among alumni members to improve communication. Moreover, this study offers a methodological and comprehensive procedure to support interaction and provides information to alumni members. Theoretically, this study depicts how the designed knowledge mapping model defines, organizes, and develops procedural knowledge in order to explore and address communication inadequacy among alumni members. Practically, this study utilized knowledge mapping as a technique to visualize the source and flow of tacit and explicit knowledge for university alumni collaboration.