1. Can the research-practice gap ever really be bridged? Applying the ‘applied’ in evidence-based organisational practice. Helen N. Watts

2. Overview Applied Occupational Psychology research My research Challenges for researchers Evidence-based organisational practice Blending facts and knowledge Applying the applied? Barriers Bridging your gap?

3. Helen N. Watts Applied Occupational Psychology research Applied research is concerned with researching issues arising from a work-based setting (Warr, 2000) Challenges for applied researchers: addressing different needs, balancing relevance and rigour However, further challenges in actually ‘applying the applied’ research to inform evidence-based practice within organisations

4. Helen N. Watts My research The factors affecting the processes of membership cancellation, switching and word-of mouth Current application of relationship marketing across health and fitness clubs in the UK. Semi-structured interviews, CIT, quantitative questionnaires (cross-sectional and longitudinal studies)

5. Helen N. Watts Challenges for researchers Balancing needs Researcher HEI/ Research unit Sponsor Organisation

6. Helen N. Watts Challenges for researchers Balancing relevance and rigour, aiming to overlap Popularist Pedantic Pragmatic

7. Helen N. Watts Evidence-based organisational practice Depends on evidence-based management “Evidence-based management derives principles from research evidence and translates them into practices that solve organisational problems.” (Rousseau, 2006) Applied research should create real evidence (general & specific recommendations) Evidence-base Need for translation (contextual fact-finding)

8. Helen N. Watts Blending facts and knowledge Managers who practice the research evidence, blending fact-finding with social science knowledge, for interpretation/ decision-making This is real bridging of the gap RESEARCHPRACTICE

9. Helen N. Watts Applying the applied? The great ‘applied’ misnomer- Wide variation in organisational practices (appraisal, restructuring) Evidence vs. fads! “Adopted overenthusiatically, implemented inadequately, then discarded prematurely in favour of the latest trend” (Walshe & Russell, 2001)

10. Helen N. Watts Barriers to applying the applied 1.Current culture (social networks etc.) 2.‘Applying’ = change (individual propensity) 3.Threat 4.Uniqueness paradox 5.Unfamiliarity (less than 1%, Rynes, Brown & Colbert, 2002) 6.Diversity across an organisation’s managers credentials 7.Time/cost constraints 8.Educators! (cutting edge or old wives’ tales?)

11. Helen N. Watts Applying the applied: Bridging your gap BARRIERS Current culture Propensity for change Manager diversity Uniqueness paradox Threat Time/cost constraints Education AWARENESS: Additional research? CONSIDERATION: Show use of local facts/ blend of perspectives PROMOTION: Business cases to show ROIs INTEGRITY: On-going research

12. Helen N. Watts Thank you