20131024 the role of research generating knowledge

The Role of Research Generating Knowledge ©

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© The role of Research-CNC’s Generating Knowledge in Care Governance –20-9-12

Précis Organisations through the application of knowledge can change or refocus their strategic

direction. The use of cognitive mapping can assist stakeholders to gain a better understanding of where

they sit in a realigning organisation. This is by creating conversation points that clarify their evolving

relationship with each other that accommodates a renewed strategic direction.

The translation of theory into practice is through policy based on research and the collation of data into

information. The process of translating research into practice is often through the work of professions

where research is applied in a vocational setting. This becomes part of the domains of practice of that

profession recorded as a narrative describing practice. Elements of this narrative is codified into policy

and procedure. This ensures consistency in the application of the professions knowledge. Much of the

communication of the professions ‘Art’ is through mentoring from the master to the novice.

Researchers take a lead role in creating information from data. Teaching organisations generate

graduates who as part of professions apply it in their vocational setting. This becomes their domain of

practice which through professional affiliations or unions develop a brand which reflects an association

between price + quality = value as perceived by the customer based on confidence, built on trust.

Policy as a consequence of research is an instrument to introduce variation to existing practice.

Professions that flourish in this environment are able to manage variation as opportunity. They apply

the variation in a vocational setting and integrate the knowledge derived into their domains of practice.

This is in turn is promoted to their customer base as having value.

Before the value equation is adopted by the customer the profession needs to accommodate variation

within its practice to develop the necessary competence in its delivery. This is described in my short

papers on adapting to change and consumer directed care. This is the basis of my current discussion on

student placement in aged care as described in my paper on student placement in acute and aged care to

the HWA forum.

A key process in the translation from data to information and its application as knowledge (Fig 1) is

through policy.

Figure 1

On page three, the cognitive map1 (Figure 2), describes how research is an important aspect of

generating data and its relationship within the knowledge framework of organisations. The following

cognitive map on knowledge is a visual support showing key markers that act as a guide using

information, knowledge and wisdom as a common thread that ties in the essential elements of what

1 Cognitive maps (also known as mental maps, mind maps, cognitive models, or mental models)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_model




makes a profession successful. The purpose of these markers is to facilitate the development of links

between various projects and strategies that are designed to enhance brand and market share of the

organisation / professions.

Not unlike a puzzle each part is an essential element of the overall picture/business. From this the

various stakeholders within the business are able to identify what parts of the puzzle in this cognitive

map best reflects their role. Four elements that combine the jigsaw pieces of the business, Sustain, Add

Value, Establish the Business and develop Strategic Partnerships, position the service for growth

through networks. From this stakeholders such as Clinical Nurse Consultants create a narrative as to

how their involvement contributes to the success of the business.

Narrative:

Elements of

knowledge as

described in the

“ACC

Additional Notes

document” has

been

superimposed

on the

knowledge map

Fig 2, to

demonstrate its

relationship to

key elements of

knowledge as

depicted in the

shaded

‘bubbles’.

This has been

broken down

into 4 categories

as follows;

1) Information exposed to practice becomes knowledge is where most of the resources of an

organisation are applied. Examples tend to be transactional and quantitative such as processes

surrounding Learning (CNC’s), Risk Management, Finance and Operational practices. It is important

at this level processes are systematised such as clinical audit for internal and external compliance

under the auspice of CNC’s.

2) Processes associated with knowledge exposed to the values of the organisation tend to be qualitative.

Examples are programs that elicit a link between the values of the organisation and its employees and

customers create organisational wisdom. To this end Care Governance has strongly embraced practice

development in association with Gallup Q12.

Establish Presence

Governance

(Custodian of Organisational

Wisdom)

Sustains Business

Knowledge Map - Fig 2© W. de Ruyter Dec 2011 revised 16-5-12

Information exposed

To practice Becomes

KnowledgeKnowledge influenced

By values

Becomes

Wisdom

Culture defines

BrandBrand influences

Market Share

Market Share becomes a reflection

Of customer expectations

Customer expectations

Influence research

Research

generates

information

Wisdom underpins

Culture

Strategic Partnerships




3) Organisational wisdom underpins the culture of the business and this is what customers see in the

brand of the organisation. The stronger the association between values and service the stronger the

brand.

4) Customer expectations determine the product range and the extent of the product range is directly

related to the extent of sustainable partnerships with aligned organisations. The ‘glue’ that holds

together these partnerships are twofold;

1. Goodwill based upon shared values

2. Research that gives evidence to the quantitative basis for the partnership

20131024 the role of research generating knowledge

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