1. Impact of Research – Transfer, Translation and Practice Harry Scarbrough Director, ESRCs Evolution of Business Knowledge programme

2. 2 Modes of knowledge transfer Type of knowledgeInstitutional mechanisms Impact Science & technologyMarkets and IPR regimes New products & services Social science Evidence (know what) Insights (know why, know how) Hierarchies Networks Change in perceptions ---- directed adoption of new practices Change in understandings ---- participatory adoption of new practices

3. 3 Communities of practice Community of practice An activity system about which participants share understandings concerning what they are doing and what it means in their lives and for their community (Lave & Wenger, 1991) Challenges the view that knowledge is an object that can be transferred from one place to another People learn by working with others – they learn not only the practice but to be a practitioner Importance of shared meanings & identity Knowledge leaks and sticks according to divisions in practice

4. 4 Skateboarding as a social practice + +

5. 5 Knowledge transfer across contexts Practitioner groups Translation activities

6. 6 Conclusions Knowledge transfer is mediated by the available institutional mechanisms The success of knowledge transfer across contexts is linked to the sharing of knowledge within contexts The success of knowledge transfer is linked to the active translation of knowledge by practitioner groups