|
| |
Nereus Business Plan - Executive Summary |
| |
The Economists Online service, launched in January 2010, is a unique tool that allows access to citations and often full text of economics research carried out in some of the world's best economics institutions. Developed by the NEEO project and now supported by the Nereus consortium, Economists Online (EO) intends to fill an important role in the future of the dissemination of economics research.
The Nereus Business Plan demonstrates how EO fills a niche in the marketplace for a service of this nature, describing the international context that it inhabits and how its features (many of them unique to EO) distinguish it from other services. Collaborations with third parties are described, and potential future areas for investigation are outlined. The importance of EO becoming embedded into this market place is recognised and addressed with an assessment of what EO brings and how its services compliment those already available to economists.
The future strategic direction for the EO service is given by the Nereus Steering Committee. The SC has set up the following working groups to guide the work on the EO service:
- Technical Issues
- Content
- User Requirements
- PR and Marketing
These working groups build upon the experience gained during the NEEO project, and address the central needs of the service. Staff on these working groups comes from across Nereus members, and reflects the breadth of experience and expertise that members bring to the consortium. This structure has been designed to ensure that the service will not only perform to a high standard, but continue to develop.
Nereus working groups will meet regularly, continuing to use the project management methodology used during the NEEO project. This approach will maintain momentum and ensure that working groups are given clear targets and goals.
The technical infrastructure of EO will be maintained by staff at Tilburg University, funded by the annual subscriptions of Nereus member institutions. Nereus has continued to grow since its inception in 2003, and represents a solid foundation upon which the EO service can be offered.
Marketing the service is identified as an important priority for Nereus, and a marketing strategy has been developed to respond to this need. A diverse set of approaches will be used to promote the EO service to various audiences. This will ensure that the portal remains visible, and that the services it provides are fully understood. EO will also act as an advocate for Open Access.
Finally, strategic, financial, legal and practical risks to the future of EO are assessed and evidence of how they will be dealt with has been detailed.
The careful planning that has led to the creation of the EO portal has left a legacy of robust infrastructure and reasoned strategic direction that should ensure EO has a sound and sustainable foundation upon which to build a bright future.
| |
