A research conducted by Reza Ardhian, Wina Erwina, and Fitri Perdana has completed an in-depth study on knowledge management at Herbarium Bandungense. The study, conducted in 2024, specifically examines how herbarium curators conduct the preservation of their critical knowledge through three main processes: selection, storage, and actualization.
This research was motivated by the important role of curators in maintaining scientific collections and data in a herbarium, where their knowledge is often unique and not formally documented. To understand this process, the research team used a qualitative method with a case study approach. Primary data was gathered through in-depth interviews with the head and curators of Herbarium Bandungense, as well as field observation, while secondary data was obtained from literature and social media.
The research findings indicate that the knowledge management process has been running systematically. In the selection stage, the prioritized knowledge for preservation is tacit (unwritten) knowledge and information that can enhance curatorial work effectiveness. This process is also strengthened through collaboration with external parties. Next, in the storage stage, knowledge is stored in three forms: individual (through social incentives), collective (in the form of Standard Operating Procedures/SOPs and manuals), and electronic (via online chat groups).
In the actualization stage, the stored knowledge is then applied in daily operations, primarily through SOP guidelines and in routine decision-making processes. This process ensures that valuable knowledge is not only stored but also actively used for the herbarium’s operational continuity.
Although the process is functioning well, the study also successfully identified several significant challenges. These challenges include limitations in collaboration and human resources, a lack of attention from the faculty regarding herbarium management, and minimal involvement of curators in strategic decision-making concerning the herbarium’s sustainability and effectiveness policies.
Based on these findings, the study issues three main recommendations. First, there is a need for increased institutional attention to the herbarium’s needs, especially in terms of funding and staffing. Second, it is recommended to form a national association for herbarium curators in Indonesia to encourage the exchange of information and knowledge on a broader scale.
Finally, and most crucially, the study emphasizes the importance of increasing curator involvement in the formulation of strategic policies. By involving these frontline experts, it is hoped that the sustainable management of Herbarium Bandungense can be better guaranteed in the future.
The full article is available at: http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250209074845_9437.pdf
Authors: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, and Ariel Mohammad Alief Yusuf
