scholarly journals Five thoughts about improving science communication as an organizational activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161
Author(s):  
John C. Besley
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Organizational Activity

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe five key lessons learned from a decade of studying how scientists and science communicators think about communication strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the experience of the researcher and the underlying literatures on strategic communication and science communication.FindingsThe key argument is that the scientific community needs to put more priority into enabling organizations to plan and implement strategic communication efforts on behalf of science. At present, there is too much reliance on individual communicators.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is in the degree to which it argues for a more strategic, organization-focused approach to science communication that emphasizes the setting of clear behavioral goals, followed by discussion about what communication objectives might help achieve those goals and the communication tactics needed to achieve the prioritized objectives.

scholarly journals Dialogics of strategic communication

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Christensen ◽  
Lars Thøger Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Organizational Practices ◽  
Managerial Control ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Participatory Approaches ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Ideal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the field of strategic communication is shaped and driven by several different logics that not only simply underpin each other, but also and simultaneously oppose each other and point in many different directions. Design/methodology/approach The authors address the multiple logics in strategic communication and their interplay by drawing on Edgar Morin’s theory of “dialogics.” According to Morin, complex systems are characterized by multiple logics that are at once complementary, competitive and antagonistic with respect to one another. Findings The authors present and discuss five dialogics that challenge conventional notions of managerial control: deliberate vs emergent perspectives on communication strategy; top-down vs participatory approaches; bounded vs unbounded notions of communication; consistency vs inconsistency in organizational messages; and transparency vs opacity in organizational practices. Originality/value While the dialogical perspective defies the ideal of strategic communication as a unitary discipline, the authors argue that the field can only develop by acknowledging, embracing and bringing to the fore of analysis principles that are at once complementary, competitive and antagonistic.

scholarly journals Lessons learned: intentional implementation of second makerspaces

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Moorefield-Lang
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Research Participant ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Planning Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
Study Results

Purpose What happens when a librarian outgrows their maker learning location or transfers to a new library? The purpose of this study is to explore the planning process for second and/or new library makerspaces. Is the planning more intentional? Is there more focus on how the makerspace should be put together for the community served? Is the community further involved? This study will explore those questions and more. Design/methodology/approach Using content analysis, the perspectives of practicing librarians in the achievement of subsequent makerspaces are examined. Data include librarian interviews, an analysis using NVivo 11 through the lens of design thinking, and a final review using member checking by each research participant. Findings Makerspaces continue to grow in popularity in school and public/community libraries. What is unexplored is the moving from a first makerspace to the implementation of a second and/or new maker learning location. More intentional planning is involved. The community served by the library is further engaged in the planning. Study results illustrate the value that community insight and intentional planning play in the design and implementation of makerspaces. Originality/value Makerspaces in libraries continue to grow in popularity; in turn, the body of peer-reviewed, scholarly publications also continues to grow. Librarians in the field are beginning to move from their first to second makerspaces. This study investigates those perspectives. Much can be gained from the experiences of those who have implemented their second or third makerspace.

Unlocking the value of HR to drive a change-ready culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Campbell Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
World Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Organization ◽  
The Real ◽  
Personal Experiences

Purpose This paper aims to present a case study focused on developing a change-ready culture within a large organization. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on personal experiences gleaned while driving an organization-wide culture change program throughout a major financial advisory firm. Findings This paper details over a dozen key lessons learned while transforming the HR department from a fragmented, ineffective, reclusive and disrespected department into one that was competent, knowledgeable, enabling and a leader of change. Originality/value Drawing on the real-world culture change intervention detailed here, including results and lessons learned, other organizations can apply similar approaches in their own organizations – hopefully to similar effect.

Innovation in infrastructure projects: an Australian perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soroush Maghsoudi ◽  
Colin Duffield ◽  
David Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
New Products ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Project ◽  
Effective Implementation

Purpose Unlike manufacturing and research and developments, major infrastructure projects rarely emphasize or drive their objectives on the basis of innovation. This is in part because of a risk-averse culture, yet conceivably great benefits and opportunities are being lost because of this behavior. Design/methodology/approach The case for focusing on innovation in infrastructure projects is that the reasons driving innovation are not fully understood, and this impedes the effective implementation of lessons learned for the numerous innovative projects into practice more generally. The purpose of this study was to discover how innovation is produced and captured in major infrastructure projects in Australia and to understand how innovation may be replicated for future projects through refinement of design, project management, finance and procurement. Findings Engineering and project managers may find this paper helpful to better understand how innovation might happen in infrastructure projects and what different forms it can take. Originality/value The findings of this study demonstrate that people and culture drive consistent successful infrastructure outcomes more than simply the development of new products or processes.

A visual tool for identity communication strategy

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 831-854
Author(s):  
Dina Elikan ◽  
Yves Pigneur
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Design Science Research ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Complex Task ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Tool ◽  
Scientific Approach

Purpose Being able to communicate a clear identity to different stakeholders is crucial for SMEs and startups in today’s world, which is characterised by accelerated innovation, growing competition and increasingly connected consumers. However, this can be a complex task for small organisations. The purpose of this paper is to propose a visual tool that supports entrepreneurs in SMEs and startups to collaboratively develop their identity communication strategy. Design/methodology/approach The paper follows a design science research approach. The authors propose the design of a tool as well as some preliminary qualitative evaluations. The authors conducted three iterations between design and evaluation, where the results of the evaluations are implemented in the design. Findings The authors demonstrate how to design strategic tools for allowing teams to co-design their identity communication strategy and present the tool. The authors also evaluate its use and find out through the preliminary evaluations that it could be easy to use and useful for practitioners. Originality/value The originality of this paper lays in the novelty of the tool and its development. Such a tool addressing identity communication strategy has not been developed with a scientific approach until now.

Physiological cost of concrete construction activities

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonil Lee ◽  
Giovanni Ciro Migliaccio
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Time Effect ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Concrete Construction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physiological Cost ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Construction Trades

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to investigate the physiological cost of concrete construction activities. Design/methodology/approach Five concrete construction workers were recruited. The workers’ three-week heart rate (HR) data were collected in summer and autumn. In this paper, several HR indexes were used to investigate the physiological cost of work in concrete construction trades, including average working HR, relative HR and ratio of working HR to resting HR. Findings This paper measures how absolute and relative HRs vary throughout a workday and how working HR compares to resting HR for individual workers. Research limitations/implications Field observations are usually extremely difficult as researchers need to overcome a number of barriers, including employers’ resistance to perceived additional liabilities, employees’ fear that their level of activity will be reported to managers and many other practical and technical difficulties. As these challenges increase exponentially with the number of employers, subjects and sites, this study was limited to a small number of subjects all working for the same employer on the same jobsite. Still, challenges are often unpredictable and lessons learned from this study are expected to guide both our and other researchers’ continuation of this work. Originality/value The time effect on the physiological cost of work has not been considered in previous studies. Thus, this study is noteworthy owing to the depth of the data collected rather than the breadth of the data.

scholarly journals Transformation to self-managing teams: lessons learned

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Renkema ◽  
Tanya Bondarouk ◽  
Anna Bos-Nehles
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Healthcare Organization ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Board ◽  
Stakeholder Groups

Purpose Although self-management is not a new phenomenon, there is a lack of understanding about how to transform organizations towards self-managing teams (SMTs). The purpose of this paper is to propose a guiding framework for how the empowerment process can be managed. Design/methodology/approach The paper sets out 12 guidelines on how to address the transition towards SMTs based on a case study at a large Dutch healthcare organization. The lessons are drawn from observations, documents and more than 55 interviews with key informants. Findings This paper provides a holistic overview of lessons learned from the transformation process towards SMTs. The 12 recommendations are targeted at four stakeholder groups, namely, the management/board, HRM department, coach-managers and members of the SMTs. Originality/value The originality lies in the systematic approach including lessons learned for all levels of the organization.

Barriers to BIM implementation strategies in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijun Zhou ◽  
Yu Yang ◽  
Jyh-Bin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Resistance To Change ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Organizational Issues

Purpose Effective BIM application hinges on the development of appropriate strategies for its implementation. Though some strategies have been deployed to facilitate BIM implementation in China, their outcomes are not clear. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations regarding appropriate strategies for promoting the development and implementation of BIM in China based on lessons learned from advanced implementation experiences in other countries. Design/methodology/approach First, existing strategies are investigated and barriers to BIM implementation mentioned in previous studies are summarized. Then, the identified barriers are mapped to the strategy contents. Finally, a comparative analysis on different areas is conducted to propose suggestions for identified items of BIM implementation strategies that need to be improved. Findings Six unaddressed barriers to BIM implementation strategies in China were identified from the mapping results: insufficient government lead/direction, organizational issues, legal issues, high cost of application, resistance to change of thinking mode and insufficient external motivation. Originality/value The findings of this study can be used to facilitate the development of appropriate strategies within the public and private sectors for promoting BIM implementation in China and elsewhere.

A methodological approach to accessing informal dementia care

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-240
Author(s):  
James Rupert Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complex Sampling ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Dementia Research ◽  
Methodological Approaches

Purpose A growing body of research seeks to include people with dementia as both participants and co-designers. It is also increasingly recognized that dementia research must pay greater attention to informal care, provided by family and friends in non-institutional settings, because this is the situation of most people affected by dementia. Accessing these kinds of naturalistic care sites through meaningfully inclusive studies can be challenging for researchers in many fields. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes a methodology designed to facilitate meaningful inclusion and access to hard-to-reach dementia care networks. It describes the implementation of this methodology in the field, the problems that emerged and the lessons learned. Findings A two-step sampling approach was used. People with dementia were sampled through organizations unrelated to dementia. Care networks were sampled through ecomapping with people with dementia. The strategy successfully accessed the desired population, but it was labour-intensive and biased the sample in several respects. Originality/value It is hoped that this outline will encourage further reflection and discussion regarding methodological approaches to complex sampling and recruitment issues in dementia research.

Adventure tourism in a land of wine: the case of Melgaço

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Baptista
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Marketing Plan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nature Tourism ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Adventure Tourism ◽  
Tourism Sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present and analyse the development and marketing tourism strategy of Melgaço and determine how nature radical sports can be implemented as a core product, complemented with Alvarinho wine and its tradition. Design/methodology/approach The information used to develop the present paper is based on the recently developed tourism strategic and marketing plan for the municipality of Melgaço, which, by its turn, is supported on a variety of primary data and official regional, national and international sources. Findings Melgaço has a range of singular natural resources where it is possible to practice river and mountain sports throughout the year, a competitive factor compared to other destinations. With a positioning and communication strategy based on its distinctive features, the municipality wants to be perceived as “the most radical nature tourism destination in Portugal”, and hence, it has increased its touristic flows and improve economic and social indicators. Originality/value This paper presents the evolution and present situation of the tourism sector in Melgaço, as well as the main challenges, opportunities and lines for development.

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