The fallacy of knowledge reuse: building sustainable knowledge[1]

Purpose – Based on recent neuroscience research, and a deeper understanding of information and knowledge, this paper aims to investigate the characteristics of building sustainable knowledge for communities and cities with a focus on the social process of knowledge mobilization. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores the concept of knowledge reuse by providing a new model of information and knowledge consistent with neuroscience and the demands of CUCA, using this model as an analogy to explore the social context of knowledge mobilization with its process of collaborative entanglement, and looking at the concepts of knowledge robustness and sustainability from the viewpoints of individuals and the community. Findings – Knowledge mobilization is modeled after the associative network of neuronal firings in the human brain. The process of collaborative entanglement among experts and stakeholders not only helps provide specific solutions to current issues, but seeds the ground for continuous community improvement, collaboration, and sustainability. Practical implications – The paper provides practical ideas and techniques for communities and individuals to move toward knowledge sustainability. Originality/value – The paper develops a new frame of reference for looking at social knowledge mobilization and knowledge sustainability.