Keywords
science-decision-making integration, paradigm lock, epistemic community, bounded rationality, organisation knowledge management
Start Date
1-7-2008 12:00 AM
Abstract
There often exist controversies between scientists and practitioners with regard tothe development and implementation of an applicable and transferable decision supportsystems (DSS) in the field of environmental or natural resources management. Thechallenge is to support decision-making through the implementation of a DSS across spatialscale as well as under different institutional and political conditions. Apart from thedevelopment and implementation of IT-based systems, the problem solutions also requireholistic approaches that promote and enhance the cooperation and consensus betweenscience and decision-making spheres. The objective of this paper is to develop a conceptualframework for integrating science and decision-making spheres through organisationknowledge management. Considering the multi-dimensional nature of the problems, theframework has been developed using multiple perspectives approach. It takes into accountthe elements that underlie the interfacing problems between science and decision-makingspheres as well as knowledge construction and use from different perspectives. Theunderstanding of the cognitive and socio-cultural elements are grounded by such conceptsand theories as the paradigm lock, epistemic community and bounded rationality. Whilst,knowledge construction and use are elaborated through technical (scientific), organisational(societal) and personal perspectives. At this stage, the framework do not specify whatshould be done by whom. Instead, it provides an understanding about the issue through theanalysis of the state-of-the-art. In addition, it also provides a setting for further studyincluding micro studies on human decision-making and decision makers heuristics.Ultimately, the question of ‘how’ will be answered.
Connecting Science and Decision-making: A Conceptual Framework through Organisation Knowledge Management
There often exist controversies between scientists and practitioners with regard tothe development and implementation of an applicable and transferable decision supportsystems (DSS) in the field of environmental or natural resources management. Thechallenge is to support decision-making through the implementation of a DSS across spatialscale as well as under different institutional and political conditions. Apart from thedevelopment and implementation of IT-based systems, the problem solutions also requireholistic approaches that promote and enhance the cooperation and consensus betweenscience and decision-making spheres. The objective of this paper is to develop a conceptualframework for integrating science and decision-making spheres through organisationknowledge management. Considering the multi-dimensional nature of the problems, theframework has been developed using multiple perspectives approach. It takes into accountthe elements that underlie the interfacing problems between science and decision-makingspheres as well as knowledge construction and use from different perspectives. Theunderstanding of the cognitive and socio-cultural elements are grounded by such conceptsand theories as the paradigm lock, epistemic community and bounded rationality. Whilst,knowledge construction and use are elaborated through technical (scientific), organisational(societal) and personal perspectives. At this stage, the framework do not specify whatshould be done by whom. Instead, it provides an understanding about the issue through theanalysis of the state-of-the-art. In addition, it also provides a setting for further studyincluding micro studies on human decision-making and decision makers heuristics.Ultimately, the question of ‘how’ will be answered.
