Abstract:
A web portal can be defined as a Web site for a specific audience that aggretates an array of content and provides a variety of services including search engines and directrories, news, e-mail, chat rooms and online shopping. This study investigates the factors that must be considered during the design of a web portal for academics. Guidelines for the design of such a portal were developed on the basis of a literature study and an empirical study. A web portal for academics must support their personal management of academic information and knowledge. Personal interviews were conducted with academics in order to identify the content, functions, appearance and value of an academic portal.