The limits of openness: global knowledge production and its boundaries

Purpose The article highlights the significance of the centre-(semi-)peripheries dynamics in the co-construction of global public goods and the limits of openness in global knowledge production. Challenging the assumption of global public good is not to discount the benefits of openness, but rather to initiate a conversation about the political economy, regionalism and internationalism of global knowledge production. Design/methodology/approach By examining “information/knowledge as a public good” and historical incidents where information flows were expedited and prohibited, this article shows that the public good justification for openness demands further examination. Findings First, although intangible information is inherently a public good, publicly funded research outputs are tangible information and they are not necessarily qualified as public goods. Second, intellectual property rights and private ownership can be conducive to the creation of public goods. Third, openness can become a convenient slogan for commercial interests or national priorities without regard to common or public good. Furthermore, national borders, international relations and geopolitical tensions can slow and stop transnational information flows because not every kinds of information are permitted to be global public goods. Originality/value The paper considers some assumptions of openness that have been overlooked or understudied in the context of global knowledge production.