Locally based research and development units as knowledge brokers and change facilitators in health and social care of older people in Sweden

• Published in: Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 57 - 80
• Main Authors: Nyström, Monica Elisabeth, Hansson, Johan, Garvare, Rickard, Andersson-Bäck, Monica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol Policy Press 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Annan samhällsvetenskap; Change Agents; Development units; Economics and Business; Ekonomi och näringsliv; Enactment; Foreign Countries; health and social services; Health care; Health Services; Information sharing; Knowledge; knowledge broker; knowledge transfer; Kvalitetsteknik; Older Adults; Older people; Other Social Sciences; Quality of care; Quality Technology and Management; R&D; Research & development; research and development; Research and Development Centers; Role; Skills; Social Services; Sociologi; Sociology; Technology Transfer; Sweden; research and development; knowledge broker; knowledge transfer; health and social services
• ISSN: 1744-2648; 1744-2656; 1744-2656
• DOI: 10.1332/174426514X14098428292539

This article investigates the role of locally based research and development units (R&Ds) focusing on health and social services. Nearly 300 local RDs are funded by the Swedish government with the intention to facilitate knowledge transfer and development of high quality and effective health and social care organisations. Based on analyses of archival data on aims, activities and outputs of R&Ds focusing on care for older people the authors argue that local R&Ds have potentials to act as knowledge brokers, change agents and researchers, but these overlapping roles need clarified strategies and enactment of a variety of skills.