A Delphi Study on the Collaboration Motive for Knowledge Fusion in Engineering¹
Sung Mi Park

Abstract
This study aims to identify collaboration motive for knowledge fusion in Engineering. Delphi survey on a panel of experts was chosen to be the main methodology for this study, drawing the main factors of collaboration motive for knowledge fusion. From Oct. 10 to Nov. 25, 2013, a three-round Delphi survey was implemented to collect data. The panels of eighteen expert were involved in this survey. For statistical processing, descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were carried out along with internal reliability test on the survey instrument. The main findings were as follows. First, requirements for collaboration were found to be sufficient understanding and sharing of the collaboration goal, responsibility for the role, and intent to understand knowledge for collaboration. Second, knowledge management, as one of collaboration processes, included creativity applying previous knowledge, design for combined knowledge management system, and identification and arrangement of common elements. Third, the communication appeared as tolerance for different perspectives, consideration for collaboration, and patience to solve problems during collaborating. Fourth, decision-making as a result of collaboration showed share of vision and goal, rational decision-making using objective data, and mediating different opinions. Detailed information for collaboration for knowledge fusion found in this study would contribute to provide useful data for knowledge fusion studies.

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