From Knowledge Transfer To Knowledge Networking 2

SafetyNet Conference on WHS Knowledge Management 2003 From Knowledge Transfer to Knowledge Networking: Virtual teaming at the Eastern Canada Consortium for Research on Workplace Health and Safety Robert Parent Mario Roy Lise Desmarais Université de Sherbrooke

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER • Researcher-practitioner gap • The Source-Recipient model • Knowledge transfer process • Evolution of knowledge models • Consortium for research on workplace health and safety

Purpose of Health and Safety Knowledge Generation, Adoption and Utilization Knowledge developed on occupational Health and Safety thru research or experience is intended to induce change in the workplace

Physical Environment machines, tools, equipments

Organization of work

People

Management, process, work design, practices

Values Attitudes Behaviours

DEFINITION “Knowledge can be defined as an organized representation of reality held to be true either based on experimentation, experience, practice, science or beliefs.”

Divergent Views on Knowledge RESEARCHERS

Discover scientific findings

Concerns and Interests

PRACTITIONNERS

Reduce uncertainty

Describe and explain phenomena

Solve current problems Immediately

Develop valid and testable models

Gain organizational influence

Publish in top journals

Improve practices

Divergent Views on Knowledge RESEARCHERS

Attitude

PRACTITIONNERS

Neutral stand favouring what seems to be objective

Normative stand favouring what seems to work

Compare knowledge with literature

Compare Knowledge with experience

Divergent Views on Knowledge RESEARCHERS

Problem Formulation

PRACTITIONNERS

Few variables with causal Relationship

Multiple variables with systemic interactions

Preference for objective, measurable data gathered in a standardized way

Preference for subjective and experiential data gathered informally

Traditional Linear Model of Knowledge Transfer

Source Knowledge producers Researchers

Translators Brokers

Recipient Knowledge users Practitioners

ORGANIZATIONAL INTERFACES Researchers Knowledge generators

Boundary spanners

Organizations Informal Leaders

Interface

Universities

Research Institutes

Practitionners, users, Decision makers

Gate Keepers

Consulting firms Linkage Champions Mario Roy et Lucie Fortier 1997

Knowledge Transfer Process Creation Transformation Diffusion Reception Adoption Utilization

Mario Roy et Lucie Fortier 1997

KNOWLEDGE UTILIZATION CHALLENGES Scientific evidence is not enough to change practice Several variables including cultural difference influence the utilisation process of new knowledge (political, organizational, socio-economical etc.) Research frameworks are often more used and usefull than actual research results. Knowledge utilization implies an un-learning and a re-learning process

Transfer Process Challenges • Obtain recipient participation from the generation to the utilization stage • Translate knowledge for different audiences • Maintain knowledge integrity • Diffuse results with the appropriate timing

Transfer Process Challenges • Use

a "pull" instead of a "push" strategy • Legitimate knowledge according to values, practices and beliefs of the potential users • Use knowledge in practice, not only in a symbolic or conceptual way

SPIRAL MODEL Universe of the practitioner Experiential Knowledge

New Integrated Knowledge

To "do"

TIME

To "see" Theoretical Knowledge

Universe of the researcher Bouchard & Gélinas (1990)

KNOWLEDGE SUPPORT NETWORK ON WHS Government Agencies

IRSST * IRSST*

CEOT ** CEOT**

SAFETY SAFETY NET NET

Union and Management Associations * IRSST : Institut de recherche Robert Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail **CÉOT : Chaire d’étude en organisation du travail

Organizations

The Workplace Health and Safety Network in Quebec and the Newfoundland and Labrador Equivalents Robert-Sauvé Workplace Health and Safety Institute ~ No Nfld & Lab. equivalent

Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux ~ Department of Health and Community Services

Ministère du travail ~ Department of Labour

Executive board Conseil d’administration

Permanent committee

Régies régionales (15) Joint Jointsectoral sectoral associations associations(12) (12) ~~such suchas asthe the Construction Construction Safety SafetyAssociation Association

CSST CSSTregional regional departments departments(21) (21)

• •prevention/inspection prevention/inspection • •compensation/ compensation/ rehabilitation rehabilitation

~~WHSCC WHSCC directors directors

* public health division •regional workplace health team

~ regional health divisions Regional consultation tables

CLSC (Local community services centres) •local workplace health team

~ no Nfld & Lab.equivalent

Company – Workplace Health and Safety Committee/Representative

Consortium Partners • SafetyNet: A Community Research Alliance for Marine and Coastal Workplace Health and Safety, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland (funded by CIHR);

The Chaire d’étude en organisation du travail (CEOT), Faculty of Business Administration, Université de Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, Québec. •The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Montreal, Canada’s largest independent WHS research institute;

Creations of the Consortium • Rapid Interprovincial KT Initiatives (Quick Hits) • Knowledge Translation Research Laboratory • Pilot Projects • Interdisciplinary Multi-Site Seminar • Funding and Training for Researchers

Collaboration Tools: Virtual Teaming • The KT laboratory has developed a virtual office using new Information Technology tools to support knowledge-sharing and distance collaboration for members of the Consortium. -Sametime Connect -QuickPlace

Knowledge Translation Research Laboratory Objectives • To increase understanding of the theory and practice of KT as it applies to WHS; • To develop and evaluate new KT tools and strategies fitting the objectives of the Consortium, building on the strength of existing knowledge such as that of the IRSST; • To integrate an understanding of KT principles and practices into the training and continuing education of WHS professionals.