Making the Transition from Science Delivery to Knowledge Coproduction in Boundary Spanning: A Case Study of the Alaska Fire Science Consortium

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 917-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie M. Colavito ◽  
Sarah F. Trainor ◽  
Nathan P. Kettle ◽  
Alison York
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Boundary Organization ◽  
Fire Science ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Boundary Organizations ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Boundary organizations facilitate two-way, sustained interaction and communication between research and practitioner spheres, deliver existing science, and develop new, actionable scientific information to address emerging social–ecological questions applicable to decision-making. There is an increasing emphasis on the role of boundary organizations in facilitating knowledge coproduction, which is collaborative research with end users to develop actionable scientific information for decision-making. However, a deeper understanding of how boundary organizations and knowledge coproduction work in practice is needed. This paper examines the Alaska Fire Science Consortium (AFSC), a boundary organization focused on fire science and management in Alaska that is working to address climate impacts on wildfire. A case study approach was used to assess AFSC activities over time. AFSC’s boundary spanning involves a continuum of outputs and activities, but their overall trajectory has involved a deliberate transition from an emphasis on science delivery to knowledge coproduction. Key factors that facilitated this transition included a receptive and engaged audience, built-in evaluation and learning, subject matter expertise and complementarity, and embeddedness in the target audience communities. Recommendations for boundary organizations wishing to develop knowledge coproduction capacity include knowing your audience, employing trusted experts in boundary spanning, and engaging in frequent self-evaluation to inform change over time.

scholarly journals The impact of boundary organizations on decision-making under uncertainty: A multi-agent simulation

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Denis Boissin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Opinion Dynamics ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Boundary Organization ◽  
Boundary Organizations ◽  
Multi Agent ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
The Impact

odern environmental issues imply that decision-makers have the capacity to take into account possibly conflicting information from distinct domains, such as science and economics.As the development of technology increases the temporal and spatial scopes of risks, decision-makers can no longer consider economic and scientific information separately but should encourage experts to work together. Boundary organizations, institutions that cross the gap between two different domains, are able to act beyond the boundaries while remaining accountable to each side (Guston, 2001). By encouraging a flow of information across the boundaries, they permit an exchange to take place, while maintaining the authority of each domain (Cash et al., 2003; Clark et al., 2002). The goal is to simulate boundary organizations to assess their impact on the diffusion of experts’ opinions. The hypothesis tested is whether the existence of a boundary organization eases the decision-making process by reducing the number of opinions expressed. The methodology relies on a multi-agent system based on a model of continuous opinion dynamics (Deffuant et al., 2001) extended over two dimensions. The world is defined by two parameters: the uncertainty, that reflects the possible zone of discussion between experts, and the exchange, which represents the openness of discussions. Agents are described by credibility and conviction: the credibility represents how much other agents may be influenced by an agent, and the conviction represents the resistance of an agent to changing its position. Two kinds of agents are left free to interact, modifying their position in their domain (dimension) through one-to-one exchanges. Agents called borgs are introduced: open to trans-disciplinary discussion, they are able to exchange on both dimensions. The results show that the range of expressed opinions is significantly reduced, even at low levels of experts involved in the boundary organization.

Book Review: A Guide to Decision Making in Student Affairs: A Case Study Approach

NASPA Journal ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Davis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Student Affairs ◽  
Student Affairs Professionals ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
New Professionals ◽  
Study Approach

Stanley Levy and Charles Kozoll capture much of the complexity of decisionmaking and offer an important contribution to our understanding of this perplexing topic. The publication of A Guide to Decision Making in Student Affairs: A Case Study Approach, furthermore, is timely due to what Stage (1993) recognizes as an increasing expectation that "new professionals, even at the lowest levels, have the ability to work independently and solve complex issues knowledgeably and with skill and integrity" (p. iii). The case study approach combined with the expert advice of 15 seasoned student affairs deans (called informants) provides a valuable resource for learning about a central task in our profession. The book offers students as well as experienced professionals background information critical to decisionmaking in higher education, exploration of fundamental issues that influence the process, carefully constructed and relevant case studies, and a reservoir of advice from some of the most well respected senior-level practitioners in our field. This book is particularly valuable to faculty members facilitating learning with new professionals, but it is a resource most student affairs professionals would find well worth owning.

Electronic Commerce and Change in Management Accounting Practices in an Egyptian Organization

2015 ◽  
pp. 189-205
Author(s):  
Mayada A. Youssef
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Power Strategies ◽  
Planning Decision ◽  
And Control ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Over Time

The objective of this chapter is to explore the implementation of e-commerce in an Egyptian organization. It reports on a longitudinal case study in an Egyptian organization (TexCo) that implemented Business-to-Business (B-to-B) electronic commerce. Following a change in leadership, TexCo was subject to a process of questioning the traditional ways of doing things. This process resulted in realizing planning, decision-making, and control problems within the company. The B-to-B system was chosen to introduce new control-based rules. However, the change was faced with resistance from TexCo's distributors. It is posited that various power strategies were used to ameliorate covert and overt resistance. Over time, the management accounting practices in TexCo changed towards greater decision support and control. B-to-B electronic commerce improved planning, decision-making, and control in TexCo.

Trying to Go Open

2017 ◽  
pp. 222-250
Author(s):  
Özgün Imre
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Management System ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Editorial Team ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Source Journal ◽  
Over Time

Theoretically, open source solutions are a good match with the resource scarce organization such as a young academic journal to make the publication process and the knowledge shared explicit to the participants in the system. This paper uses a case study approach to investigate how the decision to have such a system depends on a myriad of factors, and tracks how the editorial team decided to adopt an open source journal management system for their knowledge management issues. The study argues that these components should not be taken in isolation by showing how the previous decisions can become a hindrance as these components change over time. The results show that some factors, though initially thought to be unimportant, can become major forces as the journal matures, and a more holistic approach could help to side-step the problems faced.

Adoption of Web Services in Digital Libraries

2010 ◽  
pp. 307-320
Author(s):  
Fatih Oguz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Web Services ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Complex Procedure ◽  
Research Problems

This chapter describes a research study with an objective to explore and describe decision factors related to technology adoption. The study utilized theories of diffusion of innovations and communities of practice as frameworks and a case study of Web services (WS) technology in the digital library (DL) environment to develop an understanding of the decision-making process. A qualitative case study approach was used to investigate the research problems and data was collected through semistructured interviews, documentary evidence (e.g., meeting minutes), and a comprehensive member check. Face-to-face and phone interviews were conducted with respondents from five different DL programs in the U.S., selected based on distinctive characteristics (e.g., size of the DL program). Findings of the research suggest that the decision-making process is a complex procedure in which a number of factors are considered when making WS adoption decisions. These factors are categorized as organizational, individual, and technology-specific factors.

scholarly journals Navigating Mental Models of Risk and Uncertainty within the Ocean Forecast System: An Oregon Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-447
Author(s):  
Jessica Kuonen ◽  
Flaxen Conway ◽  
Ted Strub
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mental Models ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
End Users ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
End User ◽  
Data Provider

Abstract This case study explores how to add value to regional ocean condition forecast information by bringing awareness to the processes that govern decision-making and outcomes within the system. A modified mental models research approach is applied to examine differences and similarities in perceptions of risk and comfort with uncertainty between two interdependent communities, the ocean “data provider” and “end user,” and how these perceptions impact accessibility and usefulness of data products. In this study, data providers are academic and agency scientists from institutions that provide ocean condition forecasts to public end users (n = 17). End users are members of the Oregon commercial-fishing community (n = 16). Comparisons reveal key differences and similarities related to the nature of each profession that impact perceptions of scale in time and space and reveal the ways that cumulative and intersecting risks and uncertainties act as key drivers in decision-making. Implications for expanding the current understanding of how ocean forecasts are produced and used include 1) highlighting the value of optimizing ocean forecast delivery tools based on end-user needs and information-seeking processes already in place, 2) identifying structural and cultural barriers within the data-provider network that prevent them from doing so, and 3) demonstrating the value of learning about both producers and users of scientific information and suggesting potential ways to structure cooperation and strengthen relationships between them by working toward a common desired outcome.

scholarly journals The effects of recent austerity on environmental protection decisions

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1218-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Onyango ◽  
Paola Gazzola ◽  
Geoffrey Wood
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Environmental Decisions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Austerity Policy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the evidence for, the why and how recent austerity policy atmosphere associated with the UK government affected environmental protection decisions within planning in Scotland. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative analysis based on perspectives gathered via questionnaire survey targeted at stakeholders involved in planning in Scotland was undertaken. The questionnaire responses were analysed thematically, supplemented by using statistical tests of significance and variance to show how responses differed across participants. Findings The evidence showed that austerity policy atmosphere resulted in a pervasive neoliberal imperative of resuscitating the economy; whilst producing subtle and adverse effects on environmental decisions. This was best understood within a neo-Gramscian perspective of hegemony, borrowed from the field of political economy of states. Research limitations/implications The gathered views were constrained within unknown biases that the participants may have had; and because the case study approach was not equipped to generalise the results beyond the study, more research testing cause-effect between the austerity and selected environmental parameters is needed, from various contexts. Practical implications Decision-making frameworks should explicitly acknowledge the unique pressures during austerity periods; and contemplate resilient decision-making frameworks that can withstand the hegemonic tendencies which prioritise economic goals above environmental ones. Originality/value Whilst the area of austerity’s impacts on the environment remains poorly evidenced, empirically, this seminal paper uses robust analysis to establish how the austerity policy atmosphere affects environmental decisions. This is insight into what may be happening in other similar situations outside Scotland, raising concern as to whether and how we should approach the challenge of hegemonic ideas.

A case study of facilities management for heritage building revitalisation

Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 201-217
Author(s):  
Huiying Hou ◽  
Hao Wu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Heritage Conservation ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Facilities Design ◽  
Heritage Building

Purpose Heritage building revitalisation (HBR) is gaining its popularity to intervene historic buildings/sites for their conservation and reuse. Given that multiple stake-holding situations are often involved in HBR process, coordination or managerial problem may hinder versatile facilities design for operational efficiency while preserving the heritage values. To address the coordination challenge, this paper aims to examine the relevance and relative advantages of a FM-led revitalisation strategy for HBR, which the existing literature has not yet addressed. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a case study approach to a major HBR project in Hong Kong. This study conducted field observations and interviews, which were combined with publicly accessible policy and project information to identify stakeholders’ opinions and specifications for the role of facilities management (FM) in HBR project process. Findings The paper reveals the role of FM in coordinating the HBR process for the benefits of stakeholders and general community. FM allows a balanced approach to heritage building adaptation, sound user experience and broader community effects. This enables efficient decision-making, creative facilities design and effective public engagement. FM’s strength of fitting in the urban renewal context illustrates its comparative advantage for heritage conservation and revitalisation management. Research limitations/implications This study develops a conceptual map to identify FM’s role in heritage building conservation and revitalisation. This will enhance process evaluation and project decision-making that are central to heritage conservation policy and HBR intervention practices. Originality/value This study examines relevance and advantage of FM-led business strategy for HBR, which the existing literature has not yet addressed. It discovers FM’s strategic roles and initiates a conceptual framework for evaluation of heritage conservation management.

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