Scientific Knowledge For Management Research Articles

How to foster scientific knowledge integration in coastal management

Development of science-based coastal policies and strategies that effectively cope with coastal change and risk requires transfer of scientific knowledge beyond the scientific community, and its integration in management processes. However, scientists frequently convey their message to non-specialized audiences resourcing to their own empirical experience, often leading to a high effort - low efficiency process.This paper aims to propose a simple conceptual model to guide scientists in the process of knowledge transfer, focusing on whom and how, and promoting the efficiency of both the science dissemination process and integration of scientific knowledge in management of coastal land and risk. The model proposed herein aims to guide scientists to actively pursue the goal of transferring their knowledge to policymakers and managers besides layman society, and is essentially based upon a review and integration of previous work.We argue that selection of the most efficient scientific knowledge transfer mechanism (outreach, crowdsourcing tools, managers-oriented tools or co-production) should be based following careful consideration of level of engagement with the audience, and take into consideration political and social contexts. The level of engagement also controls the amount of effort involved in message framing, and the nature and robustness of the feedback from the target audience. The model acknowledges that communication strategy must be thought on a case-by-case basis and ranks the proportion of effort distributed between message deliverer (framing) and receiver (engagement) implicit in each transfer mechanism. This helps to select the most adequate mechanism and optimizes knowledge transfer efforts. In addition, it highlights the importance of encouraging scientists to develop message framing skills and to acknowledge the benefits of engaging with others.

Scientific Knowledge in Management and its Praxeology

Objective – The praxeology recognized by some theorists as the relevance of the results of the research process for managerial and academic practice, is evidenced by others as absent. The purpose of this paper is to propose an evaluation of the results of the research process in management, particularly in the "doctoral theses" in management in Colombia over the last 9 years, from a reflexive approach as the epistemology of human sciences and critical performativity that allows us to answer the question: What is the level of knowledge praxeology generated in doctoral theses in management in Colombia? Methodology/Technique –The work proposes to start with an exploratory sequential approach to identify the categories of praxeological focus in the literature and theses. Then, a strategy of quantitative evaluation of the observable aspects in the theses is designed. Finally, the strategy is applied to the theses and the results are documented. Findings & Novelty – The current scope of this proposal is limited to the information that will be collected in the observation of doctoral theses. The results should be interpreted considering this restriction. This proposal presents an approach to interpret the praxeological focus from the functionalist explanation to the comprehensive in doctoral research in management where the traditional scheme has been positivism. Type of Paper: Review. Keywords: Epistemology; Praxeology; Evidence-based Management; Critical Performativity; Critical Management Studies. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ramirez, A. F. Z.; Romero, C. A. R. 2019. Scientific Knowledge in Management and its Praxeology, J. Mgt. Mkt. Review 4 (2): 126 – 132 https://doi.org/10.35609/jmmr.2019.4.2(4) JEL Classification: M00, M10, M19.

Management by facts: The common ground between total quality management and evidence-based management

It is widely agreed that, whenever possible, managers should base their decisions on scientific knowledge rather than gut feelings or intuitions. There are two main sources of scientific knowledge available to managers: external and internal. External knowledge comes from studies conducted outside the company and it is mainly generated by researchers at universities and business schools; a recent trend, under the name of evidence-based management, tries to potentiate it, despite the fact that as a source of scientific knowledge for management, it has two problems: it is difficult to generate and it is problematic to disseminate among managers. On the other hand, internal knowledge comes from studies conducted on the company's process on which decisions have to be made and by the very same managers that have to make them. The paper argues that this kind of knowledge is easier to generate and use and thus that it has to be potentiated as the main source for scientific decisions; the idea is not new as it is one of the pillars of total quality management and there are methods and techniques of proved efficiency to put it into practice.

Interdisciplinary problem solving workshops for grizzly bear conservation in Banff National Park, Canada

We used the policy sciences as an organizing framework for a series of workshops with stakeholders in Banff National Park on “Interdisciplinary problem solving for grizzly bear conservation and management.” In recent years, bear conservation efforts in this region have been hindered by acrimonious disputes about the production and use of scientific knowledge in management. The workshops introduced the policy sciences as a means of thinking more effectively about problems, and encouraged participants to use this approach to develop innovative solutions to the problems of grizzly bear conservation. Each workshop addressed different aspects of the policy sciences framework: (i) Standpoint Clarification; (ii) Problem Orientation; (iii) Social Process Mapping; and (iv) Decision-Process Mapping. In this article, we discuss the design and outcomes of the workshops and assess their effectiveness in integrating knowledge to find common ground.

Challenges to science and society in the sustainable management and use of water: investigating the role of social learning

Abstract Water catchments are characterised by connectedness, complexity, uncertainty, conflict, multiple stakeholders and thus, multiple perspectives. Catchments are thus unknowable in objective terms although this understanding does not currently form the dominant paradigm for environmental management and policy development. In situations of this type it is no longer possible to rely only on scientific knowledge for management and policy prescriptions. “Social learning”, which is built on different paradigmatic and epistemological assumptions, offers managers and policy makers alternative and complementary possibilities. Social learning is central to non-coercion. It is gaining recognition as a potential governance or coordination mechanism in complex natural resource situations such as the fulfilment of the European Water Framework Directive, but its underlying assumptions and successful conduct need to be much better understood. SLIM (social learning for the integrated management and sustainable use of water at catchment scale), a European Union, Fifth Framework project assembled a multidisciplinary group of researchers to research social learning in catchments of different type, scale, and socio-economic situation. Social tools and methods were developed from this research which also employed a novel approach to project management. In this introductory paper the rationale for the project, the project design intentions and realisations, and the case for researching social learning in contexts such as water catchments are described. Some challenges presented by a social learning approach for science (as a form of practice) and society in the sustainable management and use of water are raised.

Attitudes towards fishery and conservation of the Saimaa ringed seal in Lake Pihlajavesi, Finland

The Saimaa ringed seal (Phoca hispida saimensis) is the only endemic mammal in Finland. At present the total population size of this subspecies is c. 250 individuals. Because the seal feeds on fish, and because of its value particularly as a source of meat, oil and leather, hunting was allowed until 1955. Conservation of the seal and some of its lairing areas by means of fishing restrictions requires the adoption of new attitudes. Semi-structured interviews elucidated the basis of conflicts concerning protection of the Saimaa ringed seal and fishing in Lake Pihlajavesi, Finland, where one of the most viable populations of the seal lives. Socio-economic position largely determined personal attitudes towards conservation; local landowners felt that their use of natural resources was restricted, while summer cottage owners wanted strict conservation. Commercial fishers considered the protection of the ringed seal unnecessary and a waste of money. Conservation biologists believed that the proposed actions were necessary to reduce the risk of extinction. Attitudes were also widely influenced by culture and social backgrounds. Those influenced by the traditional Finnish peasant/nature relationship had a different vision of nature from the conservationists who were influenced by modern science. Questions raised by the protection of the Saimaa ringed seal form an example of transition of an environmental conflict to larger-scale criticism of ongoing structural transformation in society. It is obvious that if nature conservation requires the approval of all social groups, it needs a change of authoritarian measures and acceptance of local knowledge, which should be used alongside scientific knowledge in management. Nature conservation policy led by specialists and authorities could be seen as widening the gap between urban and rural areas.