Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Identifying the characteristics of the faculty members' research ideas management system: a meta-Synthesis Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Information Science. shiraz university. shiraz. iran
2 PhD in Knowledge and Information Science; Associate Professor; Department of Knowledge and Information Science; Shiraz University; Shiraz, Iran
3 PhD in Knowledge and Information Science; Associate Professor; Department of Knowledge and Information Science; Shiraz University; Shiraz, Iran Email: mmirzabeigi@gmail.com
4 PhD in Educational Management; Professor; Department of Administration & Educational Planning; Shiraz University; Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Idea management is a structured approach to generating, evaluating and organizing ideas that can contribute to improved organizational outcomes. This qualitative study aimed to identify the characteristics of a research idea management system for faculty members using a meta-synthesis method, following the seven-step framework by Sandelowski and Barroso. The meta-synthesis team consisted of three information and knowledge management experts and one expert in meta-synthesis research. Data were collected using the seven steps of meta-synthesis, including defining the research question, systematically reviewing the literature, searching for and selecting appropriate sources, extracting information, analyzing and synthesizing qualitative findings, ensuring quality control and presenting the findings. This involved searching seven databases and search engines for relevant keywords to select published articles between 2000 and 2023. Based on a screening method for including or excluding articles, ultimately 55 relevant research sources, all in English, formed the basis of the analysis. The findings revealed that the characteristics of a research idea management system for faculty members can be categorized into four organizer themes: community and member participation, system management, innovation management and financial management. Each of these themes encompassed a number of sub-themes, resulting in a total of 58 sub-themes. The credibility of the identified themes was ensured using techniques of credibility, transferability and data consistency. Data reliability was confirmed through careful guidance of the information collection process and researcher consistency. Based on the results, a beneficial research idea management system is one that, in addition to possessing the characteristics of a typical management system, also features elements such as connection with subject matter experts, mind mapping capabilities, brainstorming facilities, idea registration, recording, editing, and revision, selection of the best ideas, tracking the status and progress of ideas, and so on. This study, being the first to address the characteristics of a research idea management system, also introduced a mixed methods approach to this field, which was previously dominated by design science methods. Designing such a system is proposed as a useful tool for evaluating faculty performance, tracking researchers' thought processes over time, and identifying their research interests. Additionally, administrators can leverage the reports from the system to create detailed plans for future organizational projects, including technological, financial, and human resource needs. They can also stay informed about the progress of idea implementation and identify challenges and obstacles in the execution of ideas.
Keywords
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Volume 40, Issue 4 - Serial Number 124
Summer 2025
Pages 1043-1077

  • Receive Date 20 June 2024
  • Revise Date 25 September 2024
  • Accept Date 12 October 2024