Session Summary

Session Number:257
Session ID:S10
Session Title:International Perspectives on the Knowledge-Action Nexus: Exploring Some Cultural Models of Doing Research that Bridges Theory and Practice
Short Title:Knowledge-Action Nexus
Session Type:Division Joint Symposium
Hotel:Swiss
Floor:LL3
Room:Gball 3
Time:Wednesday, August 11, 1999 8:30 AM - 10:20 AM

Sponsors

MC  (Anthony Buono)abuono@lnmta.bentley.edu (617) 891-2529 
ODC  (Rami Shani)ashani@calpoly.edu (805) 756-1756 
RM  (Karen Golden-Biddle)karen.golden-biddle@ualberta.ca (403) 492-8901 

General People

Chair Tenkasi, Ram  Benedictine U. rtenkasi@ben.edu 630-829-6212 or 312-397-0082 
Discussant Thatchenkery, Tojo Joseph George Mason U. joseph@gmu.edu 703-993-3808 

Submissions

Doing Research in Multi-Nationals: The Knowledge-Action Nexus Across Cultures 
Presenter Finegold, David  U. of Southern California dfinegold@ceo.usc.edu (213)740-9814 
Presenter Mohrman, Susan Albers U. of Southern California mohrman@ceo.usc.edu 213-740-9814 
Action Research from Within One's Own Organization 
Presenter Coghlan, David  Trinity U. dcoghlan@tcd.ie +353 1 608 2323 
Translating Management Research 
Presenter Gray, John T. U. of Western Sydney Geoff.DeLacy@uts.edu.au +61 2 9514 3193 
Presenter De Lacy, Geoff  Polaris Consulting Geoff.DeLacy@uts.edu.au +61 2 9514 3193 
On the Use of Research in a World of Distributed, Pluralistic Knowledge 
Presenter Palshaugen, Oyvind  Work Research Institute, Oslo, Norway op@wri-no +47 22 461 670 

Abstract

The observed gap between Management theory/research and action and the need for bridging has been a recurring theme in the North American management discourse. This begs the question whether we should be exploring how the gap has been addressed in other cultures. Is in fact the gap consistent across different cultures? How different if any are these models from each other? what are some local theories of 'translating' research/theoretical frameworks into actionable concepts? These are the questions that the proposed symposium is intended to explore. We will explore four different cultural models of what it means to do research that bridges theory and practice. The objective behind the exposition of these models is to provide a platform for the sharing of unique cultural theories and experiences that may afford a synergistic understanding of the knowledge-action problem. The understanding of unique cultural models of bridging the knowledge-action problem can potentially inform "Change and Development Journeys into a Pluralistic World", the theme for the 1999 Academy of Management Conference.