To Publish or not to Publish? That is the Question

[dmoler]

I will pose a question: Someone has done a significant amount of testing/instrumentation on local soil/rock/layered soils, and have determined local modulus/soil parameters.

Currently, many would like to publish this research, making a name for themselves, and many would benefit.

However, is the spread of this localized knowledge really in our (geotechnical profession) interest? We complain of decreasing rates in geotechincal engineering, and yet we give away the 'secrets'. Those who are in other businesses reap huge profits from not letting others in on their secrets (see Bill Gates, Microsoft Windows Programming Code, among others).

In the older days, specialized knowledge would be recovered in economic ways. Companies kept the design methods secret, the buildings were still standing while others were not, ect.. (Great books to read on this as well as history of engineering is David McCullough 'The Great Bridge' and 'The Path Between the Seas', as well as Stephen Ambrose 'Nothing Like it in the World'.)

Specifically, I did the instumentation to determine settlement in high rise buildings, and do not want others to know the results. My partner wants to publish the findings, and I do not want to for the reasons above.

So, what do you think? Is revealing our localized knowledge to others cutting our own throats economically? Should privately funded research be published?

 

[jheidt2543]

Just a few thoughts:

1. One way to look at it is the enhanced prestige to you and your firm if you publish the research. It could be looked upon as a marketing tool, if you find a clever way to announce the publication.

2. Yes, you could keep it secret, while that protects your information and competitive edge, how do you capitalize on that? "Hire my firm, I have a lot of specialized knowledge, but I won't tell anyone what it is."

3. Where would we be today if Terzaghi, Newmark, Cross, Turneaure all kept their discoveries and theories to themselves. Would we even know who they are today?

4. Another alternative is to keep your local knowledge to yourself, but generalize your findings into a paper that covers the theories used, but not the specific local information. If that's even possible.

Just some quick thoughts to consider.

 

[Mccoy]

A coupla more considerations:

If the data acquired entail knowledge which equals big $$$
if kept classified and conversely loss of profit if freely disseminated, I, private professional/employer/investor would have no doubts whatsoever: KEEP 'EM LOCKED!

Sometimes though the fear of potential loss is bigger than the actual monetary value of the info published; an assessment should be done if publication would really result in an measurable advantage to competitors. True enough, what jheidt2543 remarked about increase in prestige rings very, very true. People in the field are going to think: "those guys mean business", and what a better business card than a report of a state of the art or innovative scientific investigation?

 

[VAD]

I think that Terzaghi would turn in his grave about this discussion. We have all learned from others from our first day at school - kindergarden. I do not subscribe to this concept of not sharing information that would be of benefit to the community. I think your partner is on the right track.

Terzaghi once said he resisted going into consultancy as the others as he was not interested in making money that way. He preferred challenging projects and wanted to excercise his creativity without being concerned with money being in his foremost thought. Perhaps today it is different. I cannot remember the paper details but it was published I think in the Boston Society of Civil Engineers. The paer is well worth reading for many. If I find the title I will post same.

Was it Clients, Consultants and Contractors....

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Concur with VAD. Another point is that on virtually any subject, history has demonstrated that knowledge and understanding are not stationary. What is "cutting-edge" today is a "commodity" tomorrow. I would think that making careful disclosure of the information would be of more benefit (to your business) than quietly letting it "depreciate".

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[BigH]

I think that I would publish too. I would hate to think of what my experience would be like if others (and outside my own company) didn't provide me knowledge/experience and support over the years. You don't have to put out the nitty gritty details - if you have various important modulii values, give ranges like you see everywhere else - point the way but let the readers learn and develop from their own specific values. It is a feather in your cap that you have been able to develop such information/practice.