Conservation of resources theory and research use in health systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health systems face challenges in using research evidence to improve policy and practice. These challenges are particularly evident in small and poorly resourced health systems, which are often in locations (in Canada and globally) with poorer health status. Although organizational resources have been acknowledged as important in understanding research use resource theories have not been a focus of knowledge translation (KT) research. What resources, broadly defined, are required for KT and how does their presence or absence influence research use?</p> <p>In this paper, we consider conservation of resources (COR) theory as a theoretical basis for understanding the capacity to use research evidence in health systems. Three components of COR theory are examined in the context of KT. First, resources are required for research uptake. Second, threat of resource loss fosters resistance to research use. Third, resources can be optimized, even in resource-challenged environments, to build capacity for KT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A scan of the KT literature examined organizational resources needed for research use. A multiple case study approach examined the three components of COR theory outlined above. The multiple case study consisted of a document review and key informant interviews with research team members, including government decision-makers and health practitioners through a retrospective analysis of four previously conducted applied health research studies in a resource-challenged region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The literature scan identified organizational resources that influence research use. The multiple case study supported these findings, contributed to the development of a taxonomy of organizational resources, and revealed how fears concerning resource loss can affect research use. Some resources were found to compensate for other resource deficits. Resource needs differed at various stages in the research use process.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>COR theory contributes to understanding the role of resources in research use, resistance to research use, and potential strategies to enhance research use. Resources (and a lack of them) may account for the observed disparities in research uptake across health systems. This paper offers a theoretical foundation to guide further examination of the COR-KT ideas and necessary supports for research use in resource-challenged environments.</p

Strategy and knowledge management in humanitarian organizations

Building on the knowledge-based view of the firm, this chapter provides a social capital approach for knowledge sharing, creation, and retention as a way to reach sustainable competitive advantage for humanitarian organizations. Based on the case of the World Health Organization, we focus on the role of individual internal networks provided by initiatives such as (i) staff mobility programs across international offices, (ii) eHealth collaborations, and (iii) eLearning Networks for knowledge exploitation and exploration. We argue that these networks are particularly relevant for humanitarian organizations as they face the challenge of managing the knowledge gained by individuals in operations in various geographical regions of the world. The chapter also discusses implications for humanitarian organizations when facing knowledge challenges derived from geographically dispersed operations

Cloning of the sulphamidase gene and identification of mutations in Sanfilippo A syndrome

Sanfilippo A syndrome is one of four recognised Sanfilippo sub-types (A, B, C and D) that result from deficiencies of different enzymes involved in the lysosomal degradation of heparan sulphate; patients suffer from severe neurological disorders. The Sanfilippo syndrome sub-types are also known as mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type III (MPS-IIIA, B, C and D), and are part of the large group of lysosomal storage disorders. Each of the MPS-III types is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder with considerable variation in severity of clinical phenotype. The incidence of Sanfilippo syndrome has been estimated at 1:24,000 in The Netherlands with MPS IIIA (MIM #252900) the most common. MPS-IIIA is the predominant MPS-III in the United Kingdom, and has a similar high incidence to that found in The Netherlands (E. Wraith, personal communication). There is a particularly high incidence of a clinically severe form of MPS-IIIA in the Cayman Islands with a carrier frequency of 0.1 (ref. 4). Due to the mild somatic disease compared to other MPS disorders there is difficulty in diagnosing mild cases of MPS-III, hence Sanfilippo syndrome may be underdiagnosed, especially in patients with mild mental retardation. Here, we report the isolation, sequence and expression of cDNA clones encoding the enzyme sulphamidase (EC 3.10.1.1). In addition, we report the chromosomal localisation of the sulphamidase gene as being 17q25.3. An 11-bp deletion, present in sulphamidase cDNA from two unrelated Sanfilippo A patients, is described.Hamish S. Scott ; Lianne Blanch ; Xiao-hui Guo ; Craig Freeman ; Annette Orsborn ; Elizabeth Baker ; Grant R. Sutherland ; C. Phillip Morris ; John J. Hopwoo

Is the relationship between innovation performance and knowledge management contingent on environmental dynamism and learning capability? Evidence from a turbulent market

Abstract This study aims to explore the separate and combined effects of knowledge management capabilities, environmental dynamism and learning capability on innovation performance. To achieve this aim, a survey was carried out on a sample of 221 firms and a couple of hypotheses were tested. The findings showed that higher levels of environmental dynamism and learning capability made the positive linkage between knowledge management capabilities and innovation performance stronger. Based on the findings, it was suggested that whilst environmental dynamism may compel firms to assimilate and use new information better, create more new product configurations and move readily to new markets through their knowledge management capabilities, learning capability improves the understanding of organizational knowledge and helps the firm embed this knowledge into organizational processes. In this sense, environmental dynamism and learning capability moderate the relationship between knowledge management capabilities and innovation performance