Integrating DSpace in a Multinational Context: Challenges and Reflections

Abstract

Background Sharing and accessing knowledge is possible in ways that were not available even in the recent past. These methods make the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge efficient, relatively inexpensive, and simple. A number of international standards have been developed and agreed upon by academic institutions, research enterprises, governments, and others which increase the ease of knowledge exchange through interoperability of systems and consistency in the presentation of expected features and data. With an internet connection and a few clicks of a computer's mouse, a vast array of knowledge is instantly accessible. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), established to accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is committed to ensuring its knowledge products are accessible and visible for Bank employees, constituents of borrowing and non-borrowing member countries, partners and other practitioners in the region and the public at large. Due to the nature of the IDB, access to and the sharing of knowledge are critical for the success of its development mission. It is of the utmost importance to the institution, its mission, and its role in the region that the knowledge produced by the Bank be easily accessible and visible for all in the development community and beyond.