Knowledge for Purpose - Managing research for uptake — a guide to a knowledge and adoption program
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2012
ISBN 978-921733-23-9
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Executive Summary
Knowledge for Purpose is a practical guide for those working to improve the adoption of publicly funded applied research. It addresses the question—how do you manage research in research and development organisations, or research funding organisations, to increase the likelihood of uptake?
In this context the term knowledge adoption means the uptake of information, concepts, tools or practices (innovations) that have been generated predominantly through research.
The guide contains three major sections:
- Understanding the process of knowledge adoption or uptake
- Managing research for adoption
- Building the organisational capacity and culture to achieve this.
Managing knowledge for adoption is a fundamentally different approach to that of transfer of technology, conventional communication or knowledge diffusion. Managing knowledge for adoption is iterative not linear and active rather than passive. It is contextualised—we adapt and modify information to suit, thereby also creating knowledge. It is driven by need rather than just curiosity, so is pull more than push.
The role research organisations or funders play in uptake and their level of accountability for uptake of the research will differ. It will depend on the organisation's strategic objective, sources of funding, and the type of research that is funded. This document addresses applied research. There is no intent to diminish the fundamental importance of basic or curiosity-driven research.
Many factors influence research uptake and how practices are changed. The role an R&D organisation plays in the process is circumscribed yet crucial. An R&D organisation is not responsible for undertaking or supporting every stage of practice change, but should establish adoption pathways and partnerships for those who will use the research outcomes and ensure these outputs are relevant, targeted, useful and accessible.
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