The impact of open access on the management of scientific knowledge

From the abstract: This paper aims at analysing the impact of open access (OA) on the creation, retrieval and transfer of scientific knowledge. In doing so, the focus is set on scientific research as one core function of higher education institutions. It also aims to identify potential advantages of OA over traditional subscription-based publishing models from the viewpoint of academic scientists....Subject-based repositories are suggested to provide the best conditions for retrieval of scientific knowledge....In this paper the focus of investigation is academic research. Thus in order to get the “big picture” the influence of openly accessible information on knowledge management processes in teaching and administration should also be evaluated....