Knowledge Mobilization: Research Administrators as Brokers in the New Knowledge Systems By Paul J Graham, MLIS Harley D Dickinson, PhD University of Saskatchewan CAURA Conference Halifax, NS, May 2008

Contents Part 1: Knowledge System in Society – The State of things Part 2: Knowledge Brokering – Identification of your contribution – New roles in Knowledge Management Part 3: KM Applications – Knowledge Metrics – Unit considerations

Part 1: Knowledge System Knowledge System Management Cycle Implementation Production Storage Retrieval Transfer Utilization Knowledge System Holzner & Marx, 1979

Part 1: Knowledge System Knowledge System Management as Interface Research Interface – Many administrators find themselves in an “Interface” between sub-systems of academics and other university administration, such as other Research Administrators, Financial services and contracts and office representatives to name a few. Role Development as Broker – As an interface to various stakeholders, Knowledge Brokering comports well with the roles and responsibilities of Research Administration.

Knowledge Work Changes

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering What is Brokering? Some common Characteristics Terminology of Roles – Brokers, Boundary Spanners, Intermediaries, etc. General Functions – Communicative Functions Links, Connects, Manages, Networks Document to People; People to People links Sustains or maintains such structures Types of Activity – Reactive // Proactive Brokering – Brokering forms part of the Job, not THE job

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Levels of Brokering Knowledge Institutional – Research Impact (Canada) – Institute of Knowledge Transfer (Liverpool, England) – Implementation Units (British Government) – Proposed Integrated SSRL & KMO (U of S; Saskatoon) Individual (Professional) – Community Liaison Officers (CLOs, Australia) – Consultants

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Types of Brokering. – R. Havelock’s 1986 Typology Producing or Providing Knowledge – Relay Station, Transformer, Synthesizer Linking People or Products – Locator, Linkage Catalyst, Linkage Process Facilitator Application and Implementation – Implementation Assister, User System Mobilizer

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Highlighting the Three Important Types for RAs Linkage Catalyst – By being the broker who facilitates Face-to-Face meetings and finds and helps to secure resources you become the visible agent who links knowledge mobilization for your area. Locator – Identifies unmet needs or locates the individuals who could utilize available resources. Transformer – Translating difficult funding documents into a success story narrative…tell your success story.

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Rise of Knowledge Management as New Knowledge System Knowledge Management – Knowledge management addresses the generation, representation, storage, transfer, transformation, application, embedding, and protecting of organizational knowledge. (Hedlund, 1994) Social and Technical Characteristics – Tacit to codified knowledge transfer – Information Systems (computer technology)

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Rise of the Knowledge Manager as Type of Broker Rise of Knowledge Manager – Organizing Communities – Understanding work methods – Building knowledge skills – Assessing invisible knowledge achievements – Building knowledge friendly culture Developing Knowledge Strategies – Similar to Brokering Tacit Knowledge Transfer Document knowledge Transfer

Part 2: Knowledge Brokering Knowledge Manager//Broker in Health “KM actively improves information translation and transfer by creating a dynamic interface that enables access to useful health information within a ‘community of practice’... Knowledge brokering is a key element in providing the right information to the right people at the right time and right place to enable more effective job completion.” Rolls et al., 2008 Building a State Wide Knowledge Network

Part 3: KM Applications Knowledge Mobilization Tools & Techniques Bibliometric Analysis – Citation Analysis; gap analysis; Knowledge Production System Mapping – Logic Models and Concept Mapping Recording your Brokering Contribution – Information & KM Statistics Educational Component – Narrative – Formal Education

Part 3: KM Applications Champion Knowledge Based Management Structures Organic System of Management – Emphasis on Lateral & horizontal flows – Based on authority of knowledge, rather than job title – System wide approach – Job definitions are less precise and more flexible; duties change with problem changes – Employees Identify with professional organizations as much as organizational job description

Part 3: KM Applications Organizational Factors Knowledge Planning Guides – Organizational Readiness; Absorptive Capacity – KT planning guides Approaches to Cohesion – Organizational Level (Learning Organization) – Group or Unit Level (Community of Practice) – Individual Level (Dual Identity Approach)

Conclusion Three Main Points 1. Consider your role in a knowledge system within the university 2. Identify what type of brokering you’re doing and what brokering you might facilitate 3. Whether institutionally or individually, consider the factors that provide evidence for your contribution and how they might be effectively championed.

Special Acknowledgements Special thanks to University of Saskatchewan Research Administrators Laura Zink and Trina Evitts for their input and support in the formation of this presentation. Special thanks also go to the CIHR who funded the “Knowledge Utilization & Policy Implementation” project; this funding helped stimulate ideas for following up on the roles involved in Knowledge Mobilization.