This paper explains why electronic knowledge resources in academia cannot only be regarded as private commodities, but also as public goods. After sketching a concept of public goods for a postnational, global society, three types of electronic knowledge resources are distinguished: scholarly publications, course materials and academic software. With the help of practical examples, similarities between these resources are developed. Finally, it is explained what advantages the status of public good for knowledge resources would have and how it could be achieved by the academic community.

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Authors: Thomas Pfeffer
Publication year: 2009
Language: English (EN)
Level of knowledge: Introductory: aware of
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Policy makers and Funders

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EU flag This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 612425.
This project has also received funding from the European Union's Horizon2020 programme for research, technological development and demonstration under agreement no 741839.