scholarly journals Understanding brokers, intermediaries, and boundary spanners: a multi-sectoral review of strategies, skills, and outcomes

Author(s):  
Jennifer Watling Neal ◽  
Stephen Posner ◽  
Brian Brutzman

Background: Brokers, intermediaries, and boundary spanners (BIBS) bridge research and policy or practice, and can elevate the role of evidence in decision making. However, there is limited integration of the literature across different sectors to understand the strategies that BIBS use, the skills needed to carry out these strategies, and the expected outcomes of these strategies.Aims and objectives: In this review, we characterise the strategies, skills, and outcomes of BIBS across the literature in education, environmental, health and other relevant sectors.Methods: We included 185 conceptual and review papers written in English that included descriptions or conceptualisations of BIBS in the context of knowledge transfer or research use in the education, environmental, health, or other relevant sectors (for example, social services, international development). For each included paper, we extracted and coded information on sector, BIBS strategies, skills, and outcomes.Findings: Our review revealed five strategies used by BIBS that were emphasised in the literature. Specifically, 79.5% of papers mentioned facilitating relationships, 75.7% mentioned disseminating evidence, 56.8% mentioned finding alignment, 48.6% mentioned capacity building, and 37.3% mentioned advising decisions as strategies used by BIBS. Additionally, papers described skills and expected outcomes that were common across these strategies as well as those that were unique to specific strategies.Discussion and conclusions: We discuss implications of these findings for understanding how BIBS interface with knowledge users and producers as well as directions for future research on BIBS and the professionalisation of BIBS roles.<br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>The literature describes five key strategies used by brokers, intermediaries, and boundary spanners.</li><br /><li>Facilitating relationships and disseminating evidence are the most common strategies described.</li><br /><li>Common skills include clear communication and expertise in research, policy, and change processes.</li><br /><li>Common outcomes include increased research uptake, awareness of user needs, and knowledge exchange.</li></ul>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Watling Neal ◽  
Stephen Posner ◽  
Brian Brutzman

Background: Brokers, intermediaries, and boundary spanners (BIBS) bridge research and policy or practice, and can elevate the role of evidence in decision-making. However, there is limited integration of the literature across different sectors to understand the strategies that BIBS use, the skills needed to carry out these strategies, and the expected outcomes of these strategies. Aims and Objectives: In this review, we characterize the strategies, skills, and outcomes of BIBS across the literature in education, environmental, health and other relevant sectors. Methods: We included 185 conceptual and review papers written in English that included descriptions or conceptualizations of BIBS in the context of knowledge transfer or research use in the education, environmental, health, or other relevant sectors (e.g., social services, international development). For each included paper, we extracted and coded information on sector, BIBS strategies, skills, and outcomes. Findings: Our review revealed five strategies used by BIBS that were emphasized in the literature. Specifically, 79.5% of papers mentioned facilitating relationships, 75.7% mentioned disseminating evidence, 56.8% mentioned finding alignment, 48.6% mentioned capacity building, and 37.3% mentioned advising decisions as strategies used by BIBS. Additionally, papers described skills and expected outcomes that were common across these strategies as well as those that were unique to specific strategies. Discussion and Conclusions: We discuss implications of these findings for understanding how BIBS interface with knowledge users and producers as well as directions for future research on BIBS and the professionalization of BIBS roles.


Author(s):  
Harry Minas

This chapter provides an overview of what is known about prevalence, social determinants, treatment, and course and impact of depression in developing, or low- and middle-income, countries. The importance of culture in depression and in the construction and application of diagnostic classifications and in health and social services is highlighted, with a particular focus on the applicability of ‘Western’ diagnostic constructs and service systems in developing country settings. The role of international organizations, such as WHO, and international development programs, such as the SDGs, in improving our understanding of depression and in developing effective and culturally appropriate responses is briefly examined. There is both a need and increasing opportunities in developing countries for greater commitment to mental health of populations, increased investment in mental health and social services, and culturally informed research that will contribute to improved global understanding of mental disorders in general and depression in particular.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toula Kourgiantakis ◽  
Rachelle Ashcroft

IntroductionFamilies are significantly impacted by addictions and family involvement in treatment can reduce the harms and can also improve treatment entry, treatment completion and treatment outcomes for the individual coping with an addiction. Although the benefits of family-focused practices in addictions have been documented, services continue to have an individual focus and research on this topic is also limited. The objective of this study is to map the extent, range and nature of evidence available examining family interventions in addictions and identify gaps to guide future research, policy and practice.Methods and analysisThis is a scoping review using the five-stage framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. We will include published and unpublished empirical studies focusing on any type of family interventions in addiction treatment between 2000 and the present in English or French. A reviewer will search for literature that meets the inclusion criteria through the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Social Services Abstracts. For a comprehensive search, we will also hand-search reference lists, web sites and key journals. Data will be charted and sorted using a thematic analysis approach.Ethics and disseminationThis review will be the first to examine all forms of family-focused practices for both substance use and problem gambling treatment for adults. It will provide information about existing service provisions and gaps in practice. This review can be used to start moving towards the development of best practices for families in addiction treatment. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and at mental health and addiction conferences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Ntounis ◽  
Mihalis Kavaratzis

Purpose The main aim of this paper is to develop a holistic understanding of place branding and reflect on its practical value and implications, by drawing evidence from the rebranding process of three UK towns (Alsager, Altrincham and Holmfirth) that participated in the HSUK2020 project. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive place branding process that includes the interrelated stages of research, deliberation, consultation, action and communication is presented. The practical value of this theoretical proposition is linked to the experiences of three UK towns that participated in the HSUK2020 project. Findings The importance of research, the challenges of participation and the role of communications in place branding processes were identified as primary issues in all towns. The results of the project demonstrate the significance of the initial research stage of the place branding process and show that the process as a whole is valuable in helping places deal effectively with identity issues. Research limitations/implications Participatory place branding processes can flourish when place stakeholders are engaged in the right context and are encouraged to work together. In addition, place brands are important cues and empower stakeholders’ participation in all stages of place brand processes. Practical implications Knowledge exchange projects that have the potential to engage a plethora of place stakeholders should be considered by practitioners for future place branding strategies. Originality/value The paper offers a refreshing practical grounding on participatory place branding concepts and theories. The value of knowledge exchange strategies for examining the field of place branding is also highlighted and can become a useful research approach for future research.


2022 ◽  
pp. 101-119
Author(s):  
Aya Kamperis

The chapter examines the role of practice-related research in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. It will extend existing debates regarding the academic rigour of such methodologies as arts-based research and consider their impact on future research culture, using Zen arts as an example of a subject of study within such a methodological framing. It also discusses complimentary methods used by Zen arts researchers such as ethnography to examine why qualitative techniques are not only useful but imperative in the study of such fields. While practice is the key to Zen arts research, neither of the practice-related method types, practice-led or practice-based, currently defined describes how such practice or the writing function in PhD investigations, where together such components are the subject of investigation as well as the method of research and presentation. The chapter thus suggests an additional category of PRR, “practice-reflexive,” when describing such research whose focus is on the distinction of (or the lack thereof) the written exegesis and the notional artefact.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-237
Author(s):  
Amy E Reid ◽  
Shelley Doucet ◽  
Alison Luke

Objectives To explore the roles of patient navigators in different settings and situations for various patient populations and to understand the rationale for implementing lay and professional models of patient navigation in a Canadian context. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was applied, using interviews with 10 patient navigators from eight Canadian provinces, and Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis to guide the analysis of interview transcripts. Results Findings indicate that a patient navigator’s personality and experience (personal and work-related) may be more important than their specific designation (i.e. lay or professional). Conclusions Lay and professional navigators in Canada appear to be well suited to provide navigational services across populations. This study has the potential to inform future research, policy, and the delivery of navigation programmes in Canada.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S916-S917
Author(s):  
Sandra Sanchez-Reilly ◽  
Sireesha Vutukuri ◽  
Paula Reilly ◽  
Isabela S Ross ◽  
Andrea Mejia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes muscle weakness, disability, and death, with survival of 3-5 years and affecting all populations including Hispanics. ALS patients are mostly cared for by family caregivers (FCG) who experience burden, psychological distress and impaired quality-of-life. Thus, FCG may not leave their homes to access resources. Social media might be a way to accessing support, but little is known about quality/quantity of AL- FCG resources. Research Objectives: To identify and categorize types of bilingual resources available to ALS-FCG in Facebook. Methods: We used Facebook both groups (public and closed groups) and pages and collected numbers-of-likes, organization type and resource provided. Bilingual search terms (Spanish) included ALS/ALS-caregiver. Results: 24 pages/31 groups in English vs. 37 pages/29 groups in Spanish. English resources had more likes/members (3510/790 vs.410/95; p&lt;0.001) and were more active (60+ posts in recent month). Community resources and provision of social support were similarly shared through groups in both languages; advocacy was more prominent among Spanish groups (69%vs.39%, p&lt;0.001). English pages significantly provided more social support (96% vs.65%, p&lt;0.001), more caregiver skills (67%vs.49%, p&lt;0.001), inspirational roles (88% vs.59%, p&lt;0.001). Spanish pages and groups were better in providing news/research to FCG (59%vs.16%, p&lt;0.001). Implications for research, policy or practice: Facebook provides numerous useful bilingual resources to ALS-FCG. FCG may receive social support, inspiration, training, news/research and advocacy. Further interventions need to actively improve the role of social-media in supporting bilingual ALS FCG and use it as a platform of dissemination.


2019 ◽  
Vol IV (I) ◽  
pp. 26-33
Author(s):  
Khalid Saifullah ◽  
Syed Imran Haider ◽  
Azhar Waqar

For centuries, international politics was considered as an arena of the states. However, with the rise of the free-market economy, globalisation, international institutions and technology, many non-state actors such as international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) started sharing the power corridors along with the states. Contemporary academic literature cites many examples where INGOs has played important roles in decision-making processes. The flow of development aid from developed countries to the developing countries through INGOs has enhanced their role in international development. Similarly, many developing countries started outsourcing social services such as health and education to INGOs. International laws, on one hand, protect INGOs to mobilise additional financial resources from developed states. INGOs contributed to humanitarian diplomacy especially in climate change and banning landmines. INGOs also face some criticism in terms of poor accountability and legitimacy. Southern countries sometimes perceive INGOs as carriers and promoters of western liberal agenda.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allyson Larkin

Educating children in conflict zones: Research, policy and practice for systemic change is a volume dedicated to the memory of Jackie Kirk, an educational researcher who was killed while working in Afghanistan. This collection of research articles is an excellent contribution to the field of education, conflict and development studies, Kirk's area of expertise. The initial article is by Kirk and is a seminal piece in the field of education and conflict studies, and subsequent contributions by leading researchers in the field such as Lyn Davies, round out a volume that both adds to the growing knowledge of the contested role of education in conflict and lays out an agenda for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingzi Xu ◽  
Sheau Fen Crystal Yap ◽  
Kenneth F Hyde

Purpose This research investigates customer interactions in an online environment following a service failure, and explores the role of customer-to-customer (C2C) interactions in service recovery. Design/methodology/approach We examine C2C interactions between airline travellers by analysing their detailed conversations posted on an independent complaint forum. We adopt thematic analysis to scrutinise online dialogue that narrates stories about service failures and how they are resolved with the help of other customers. Findings Our analysis reveals that other customers act as helpers, educators, listeners and ironists in an online environment following a service failure. We identify information sharing, emotional release, social support, knowledge exchange and learning, and leadership in the online community as forms of C2C service recovery. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on C2C service recovery in an online environment; C2C interactions in an offline environment after a service failure are not explored. Future research can apply different research methods to different data sources in order to discover further insights into C2C service recovery. Practical implications C2C interactions in service recovery can lead to value creation that enhances customers’ overall satisfaction with their service experiences, and further re-shapes customers’ expectations of the service. Customers are an operant resource for service recovery; thus, service companies should facilitate customer-to-customer interactions that assist successful service recovery. Originality/value This research explores the functions and potential impact of online C2C service recovery; that is, service recovery through online C2C interactions. It advances understanding of service recovery by bridging current thinking on customer-dominant logic and the role of C2C interactions.


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