Master Thesis: Peer-to-Peer Networks for Knowledge Sharing in International Development Cooperation, Mar 31, 2014
This master thesis research addresses knowledge sharing for international development cooperation... more This master thesis research addresses knowledge sharing for international development cooperation from a double perspective of knowledge management and social network analysis through the case of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. From the knowledge management perspective, it provides the theoretical – but application-oriented - foundations of the characteristics of social processes at stake when knowledge is aimed to be shared, notably by distinguishing it from sharing of data or information. These insights will be complemented by a short review of the specific challenges and circumstances for an application in the framework of international development cooperation. The research will assess the performance of P2P networks by using measures from the social network analysis literature to understand their specific structure and the nature of the ties between their members. Some insights from psychology and media theory may be monopolized in order to get a deep understanding of the nature of interactions in P2P networks. It will challenge views expressing that the simple use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is sufficient for enabling knowledge exchange by demonstrating that the architecture and rules of networks matter most, and finally shape the outcomes and the value created by knowledge sharing networks. Nonetheless, by hypothesizing that horizontal and distributed forms of coordination are made possible through ICTs, even at large scale and high degrees of complexity, this research will argue that under certain circumstances, better results can be achieved by P2P networks than by formal organisations aimed to transfer knowledge, notably if one takes into account several “beneficial side effects”.
The master thesis will attempt to establish a systemic evaluation of P2P networks’ performance, which will be submitted to various members and experts of such networks through in-depth interviews. These empirical insights will provide an understanding of the context in which the potential of P2P is best used. Rather than focusing on the study of a specific case, this research will finally propose a general mapping of application modalities and settings in international development cooperation where P2P could represent an adapted answer. It will conclude on the complementarity of different types of networks for a genuine knowledge sharing strategy.
The Busan summit was primarily thought to pursue the “aid effectiveness” agenda, launched by prev... more The Busan summit was primarily thought to pursue the “aid effectiveness” agenda, launched by previous agreements between the OECD-DAC countries, in order to harmonize development practices, notably through common frameworks for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. But simultaneously, it rapidly became crucial to integrate “new partners”, mostly emerging economies - but also non-state actors – within this traditional system of international governance for official development assistance, and hence to adapt to a de facto more complex architecture of development cooperation. It can finally be considered as a potential milestone for a shift from a mostly OECD-DAC regulated system, to a more inclusive and legitimate development governance structure. However, as the Busan Partnership is mostly based on the principle of “common goals and differential commitments”, it might also be the beginning of a two tier system, not entirely able to solve the lack of accountability, incoherence and fragmentation of development policies. Also, this paper will finally come to the conclusion that the created “Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation”, which just took place in Mexico, still has to proven its efficiency, its legitimacy, notably in comparison with UN institutions, but foremost its acceptance by major Southern countries, as China, Brazil and India.
Master Thesis: Peer-to-Peer Networks for Knowledge Sharing in International Development Cooperation, Mar 31, 2014
This master thesis research addresses knowledge sharing for international development cooperation... more This master thesis research addresses knowledge sharing for international development cooperation from a double perspective of knowledge management and social network analysis through the case of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. From the knowledge management perspective, it provides the theoretical – but application-oriented - foundations of the characteristics of social processes at stake when knowledge is aimed to be shared, notably by distinguishing it from sharing of data or information. These insights will be complemented by a short review of the specific challenges and circumstances for an application in the framework of international development cooperation. The research will assess the performance of P2P networks by using measures from the social network analysis literature to understand their specific structure and the nature of the ties between their members. Some insights from psychology and media theory may be monopolized in order to get a deep understanding of the nature of interactions in P2P networks. It will challenge views expressing that the simple use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is sufficient for enabling knowledge exchange by demonstrating that the architecture and rules of networks matter most, and finally shape the outcomes and the value created by knowledge sharing networks. Nonetheless, by hypothesizing that horizontal and distributed forms of coordination are made possible through ICTs, even at large scale and high degrees of complexity, this research will argue that under certain circumstances, better results can be achieved by P2P networks than by formal organisations aimed to transfer knowledge, notably if one takes into account several “beneficial side effects”.
The master thesis will attempt to establish a systemic evaluation of P2P networks’ performance, which will be submitted to various members and experts of such networks through in-depth interviews. These empirical insights will provide an understanding of the context in which the potential of P2P is best used. Rather than focusing on the study of a specific case, this research will finally propose a general mapping of application modalities and settings in international development cooperation where P2P could represent an adapted answer. It will conclude on the complementarity of different types of networks for a genuine knowledge sharing strategy.
The Busan summit was primarily thought to pursue the “aid effectiveness” agenda, launched by prev... more The Busan summit was primarily thought to pursue the “aid effectiveness” agenda, launched by previous agreements between the OECD-DAC countries, in order to harmonize development practices, notably through common frameworks for monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. But simultaneously, it rapidly became crucial to integrate “new partners”, mostly emerging economies - but also non-state actors – within this traditional system of international governance for official development assistance, and hence to adapt to a de facto more complex architecture of development cooperation. It can finally be considered as a potential milestone for a shift from a mostly OECD-DAC regulated system, to a more inclusive and legitimate development governance structure. However, as the Busan Partnership is mostly based on the principle of “common goals and differential commitments”, it might also be the beginning of a two tier system, not entirely able to solve the lack of accountability, incoherence and fragmentation of development policies. Also, this paper will finally come to the conclusion that the created “Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation”, which just took place in Mexico, still has to proven its efficiency, its legitimacy, notably in comparison with UN institutions, but foremost its acceptance by major Southern countries, as China, Brazil and India.
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Papers by Jan Krewer
The master thesis will attempt to establish a systemic evaluation of P2P networks’ performance, which will be submitted to various members and experts of such networks through in-depth interviews. These empirical insights will provide an understanding of the context in which the potential of P2P is best used. Rather than focusing on the study of a specific case, this research will finally propose a general mapping of application modalities and settings in international development cooperation where P2P could represent an adapted answer. It will conclude on the complementarity of different types of networks for a genuine knowledge sharing strategy.
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 FR
The master thesis will attempt to establish a systemic evaluation of P2P networks’ performance, which will be submitted to various members and experts of such networks through in-depth interviews. These empirical insights will provide an understanding of the context in which the potential of P2P is best used. Rather than focusing on the study of a specific case, this research will finally propose a general mapping of application modalities and settings in international development cooperation where P2P could represent an adapted answer. It will conclude on the complementarity of different types of networks for a genuine knowledge sharing strategy.
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 FR