Building a research model for human genetic variation knowledge management

Organizational knowledge management (KM) research studies the nature of knowledge, the scope of KM, the factors and mechanisms that affect KM outcomes, as well as theoretical KM frameworks. This paper discusses the implications of past studies for the KM efforts in the human genetic variation (HGV) research domain and presents a HGV-KM research model. This model identifies the context of HGV KM studies, the predispositions and factors that may impact KM outcomes, and important KM processes. It also represents the relationships among these issues. Applying the model, further studies will point the way for improved capture and dissemination of HGV knowledge from routine HGV research activities to contribute to the global genetics knowledge base.