Strategies for mobilizing research knowledge: A conceptual model and its application KM research team OISE

Relevant Literature Holzner et al (1987) explain organizations influence the development of the society through “knowledge organization, structuring, storage, dissemination and various other functions” (p. 185). Ha and James (1998) broaden the definition of interaction to cover all the strategies involved which include: information collection, reciprocal communication, playfulness, choice, and connectedness. Klei and Gwaltney (1991) summarize three types of dissemination: spread, choice and exchange. Levin (2004) explains three approaches correspond to the three contexts: research production, mediators and research use.

Developing a conceptual framework What are the major strategies used by various institutions to disseminate research-related information? What are the important indicators of these strategies based on the evidence available on institutional websites?

Conceptual framework Product Multiple types Ease of use Accessibility Focus of audience Event Network

Potential research users Policy makers, or those who must make decisions about resource allocations, program support, or new legislation and regulations; Citizens, or those who are consumers of the services or who may otherwise be affected by government policies; and Service providers, or those who are involved in the operation of actual services.

Total points for each indicator Strategies indicators Products Events Networks Overall features Total points for each indicator Different types 1 (1-2 types ) 2 (3-4 types) 3 (5-6 types) 2 (1-2 types) 4s (3-4 types) 6 s (5-6 types) 2 (1 type ) 4 (2 types) 6 (3 types) 1 ( 1 strategy) 2 (2 strategies) 3 (2 strategies with a good balance ) 4 (three strategies) 5 (three strategies with a good balance) 20 Ease of use 1 (means provided for comment on the main page) 2 (means provided for comments on specific products) 2 (occasional follow-ups) 4 ( regular follow-ups) 2 (events archived) 2 (archived network communication ) 1 (1 searching tool) 2 s ( 2 searching tools) 3 s ( 3 searching tools) 4 s (4 searching tools) 14 Accessibility 1 (small portion ) 2 (large portion ) 3 ( all ) 2 ( conditions attached) 4 ( part of events with conditions attached) 6s ( no conditions attached) 2 (once every three month or less) 4 (more frequently) 1 ( low readability) 2 (average readability) 3 (high readability) 16 Focus of audience 1 ( part of products) 2 (part of products with clear application information) 3 (all products) 4s ( all products with clear application information) 0 ( no introduction) 2 ( brief introduction) 2 ( general introduction about who is involved in the network) 4 ( clear introduction about who is involved and the responsibilities and contributions and the purpose of the network) 10 Extra indicators Collaborative nature of the network 2 (some indication) 4s (strong indication) Explicit KM statement on the site 2 general statement 4 clear statement without overall plan 6- strong statement loosely connected to overall plan 8 strong statement directly connected to overall plan 12 Total s for Each strategy

Empirical findings

Mean Scores Overall Percent Score Products (12) Events (20)   Products (12) Events (20) Networks (20) Overall (20) Total s for Indicator (72) Different types 1.74 2.25 2.29 2.88 9.12 Ease of Use 0.52 0.69 0.90 0.19 2.32 4.58 Accessibility 2.03 2.28 0.37 1.66 6.31 Focus of audience 1.50 1.24 1.42 x 4.10 Extra Indicators 3.64 4.00 Total s for each strategy 5.78 7.30 4.55 10.48 28.11 Overall Percent Score   Products (12) Events (20) Networks (20) Overall (20) Total s for Indicator (72) Different types 58% 38% 46% Ease of Use 26% 17% 45% 10% 33% Accessibility 68% 9% 55% 39% Focus of audience 62% 35% x 41% Extra Indicators Total s for each strategy 48% 37% 23% 52%

Conclusions First, the overall research sharing efforts of these organizations are fairly low. Second, as the overall percentage shows, out of the research sharing strategies, organizations tend to devote more efforts to products. Third, events and networks strategies are less used overall and when used are weaker in terms of ease of use, accessibility and multiple types.

Further research First, different types of users will put research information into a different use. Detailed descriptive work in this direction is needed in terms of how differently they use the resources Second, detailed investigation into different types of organizations is also needed to determine which research sharing strategies are more appropriate for them and in what forms.

Thank you !