Knowledge brokers in a knowledge network: the case of Seniors Health Research Transfer Network knowledge brokers

Implementation Science

Paul Stolee⁴  Megan Harris¹  Elizabeth Lusk³  James Conklin² 

[1] Alzheimer’s Knowledge Exchange, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 1600, M4R 1K8, Toronto, ON, Canada;Department of Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, H3G 1M8, Montréal, QC, Canada;Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange, Windsor, Canada;Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging, 325 Max Becker Drive, Suite 202, N2E 4H5, Kitchener, ON, Canada

关键词: Knowledge network;    Community of practice;    Knowledge translation;    Knowledge exchange;    Knowledge broker;   

Others  :  813827
DOI  :  10.1186/1748-5908-8-7

 received in 2011-11-28, accepted in 2013-01-08,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

The purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect on the role of knowledge brokers (KBs) in the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN). The paper reviews the relevant literature on knowledge brokering, and then describes the evolving role of knowledge brokering in this knowledge network.

Methods

The description of knowledge brokering provided here is based on a developmental evaluation program and on the experiences of the authors. Data were gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods, analyzed by the evaluators, and interpreted by network members who participated in sensemaking forums. The results were fed back to the network each year in the form of formal written reports that were widely distributed to network members, as well as through presentations to the network’s members.

Results

The SHRTN evaluation and our experiences as evaluators and KBs suggest that a SHRTN KB facilitates processes of learning whereby people are connected with tacit or explicit knowledge sources that will help them to resolve work-related challenges. To make this happen, KBs engage in a set of relational, technical, and analytical activities that help communities of practice (CoPs) to develop and operate, facilitate exchanges among people with similar concerns and interests, and help groups and individuals to create, explore, and apply knowledge in their practice. We also suggest that the role is difficult to define, emergent, abstract, episodic, and not fully understood.

Conclusions

The KB role within this knowledge network has developed and matured over time. The KB adapts to the social and technical affordances of each situation, and fashions a unique and relevant process to create relationships and promote learning and change. The ability to work with teams and to develop relevant models and feasible approaches are critical KB skills. The KB is a leader who wields influence rather than power, and who is prepared to adopt whatever roles and approaches are needed to bring about a valuable result.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Conklin et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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