Innovation of the Naval Postgraduate School's Student Thesis Research Process Through Knowledge Management

This thesis examines the student thesis research process at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, CA. Research in the academic environment by Leavitt (1965), Davenport (1993), and Nissen (1993), makes a case for the integration of information technology (IT) with the process it supports. This thesis examines how the NPS population discovers and shares knowledge in the thesis research process. Additionally, it analyzes how a knowledge management (KM) tool such as a knowledge portal might improve the thesis research process. This thesis explores the culture of knowledge sharing and knowledge hoarding in the academic environment of NPS. This thesis also investigates the relevancy of student theses to Navy needs and how this relevancy might he enhanced through a knowledge portal (KP). The findings indicate that the student thesis process at NPS can he innovated through a KM tool such as a KP. Development and implementation of the KP must be executed using an iterative, integrated approach through gradual addition of resources, functionality, and user groups. Weaknesses identified in the current thesis process require reengineering efforts. Finally, the differences in the academic and military cultures at NPS must be minimized for successful innovation to occur.