Structuring sustainable knowledge brokering in street level organisations

Abstract

Abstract Background: The idea and need for knowledge mobilization (KM) have gained traction in research and practice, but the long-term sustainability of KM practices remains challenging. Recent research suggests shifting from sustainability as an end-goal to ‘sustaining’ as actors’ work to keep knowledge translation practices productive. However, little is known about sustaining work, especially in street-level public welfare organizations.Aims and Objectives: This paper explores a) how organizational systems for sustainable KM can be built in street-level organizations, and b) how knowledge brokers in these organizations support the development of such structures.Methods: We draw on ongoing research collaboration between researchers and five Danish municipal public employment services. Data includes extensive qualitative data from interviews, fieldwork, observations, and mutual learning platforms with managers, professionals, knowledge brokers, and researchers. Data are analysed using concepts of translating, contexting, and institutionalizing KM.Findings: We identify three axes of a sustaining KM infrastructure: a horizontal axis focused on mobilizing knowledge at the professional level; a vertical axis focused on mobilizing knowledge between organizational levels; and an extra-organizational axis focused on mobilizing knowledge between the organization and the outside world, specifically research.Discussion and Conclusion: This paper highlights sustaining KM as ongoing and multifaceted work, emphasizing the role of street-level organization knowledge brokers. Their embeddedness in professional practice enables them to translate, context, and institutionalize KM. By outlining three axes of sustaining infrastructure, we suggest a framework for further research on sustaining in organizational practices.Background: The idea and need for knowledge mobilisation (KM) have gained traction in research and practice, but the long-term sustainability of KM practices remains challenging. Recent research suggests shifting from sustainability as an end-goal to ‘sustaining’ as actors’ work to keep knowledge translation practices productive. However, little is known about sustaining work, especially in street-level public welfare organisations.Aims and Objectives: This paper explores a) how organisational systems for sustainable KM can be built in street-level organizations, and b) how knowledge brokers in these organisations support the development of such structures.Methods: We draw on ongoing research collaboration between researchers and five Danish municipal public employment services. Data includes extensive qualitative data from interviews, fieldwork and observations. Data are analysed using concepts of translating, contexting, and institutionalizing KM.Findings: We identify three axes of a sustaining KM infrastructure: a horizontal axis focused on mobilizing knowledge at the professional level; a vertical axis focused on mobilizing knowledge between organisational levels; and an extra-organisational axis focused on mobilizing knowledge between the organisation and the outside world, specifically research.Discussion and Conclusion: This paper highlights sustaining KM as ongoing and multifaceted work, emphasising the role of street-level organisation knowledge brokers. Their embeddedness in professional practice enables them to translate, context, and institutionalise KM. By outlining three axes of sustaining infrastructure, we suggest a framework for further research on sustaining in organisational practices.<br/