Chapter 6 - Museums and Small Memory Institutions: Multimedia Knowledge Management Systems

This chapter considers the diffusion of multimedia knowledge management (KM) systems into global museum markets at the level of the small museum and small memory institution (SMI). Diffusion in the form of multimedia technology, the transmission of knowledge and technological expertise is investigated. This involves technology transfer through formal and informal networks enabling learning by interacting and an absorptive capacity to assimilate multimedia technology. The diffusion of multimedia KM systems is considered including external sources, channels of technology transfer, and mechanisms involved in the transfer of the technology into the innovative SMI. This is related to museum networks in terms of the adoption of multimedia KM systems by SMIs.