Ward, V, Smith, S, Keen, J orcid.org/0000-0003-2753-8276 et al. (2 more authors) (2018) Creating and implementing local health and wellbeing policy: networks, interactions and collective knowledge creation amongst public sector managers. Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 14 (3). pp. 477-498. ISSN 1744-2648
Abstract
Background: In the UK managers from multiple organisations are commonly tasked with collectively devising and implementing local health and wellbeing policies as a way of addressing increasing demand for healthcare. This requires them to create knowledge together but relatively little is known about how this occurs. This paper reports the results of research into how managers collectively create knowledge in order to address local health and wellbeing challenges. Methods: We undertook a case study in three sites in England. Using statistical network modelling we identified clusters of actors and interviewed managers from heterogeneous clusters about their collective activities. We used interview and documentary data to construct accounts of collective knowledge creation. Findings: Managers simultaneously work across stable bureaucratic networks and temporary taskforces in order to create and implement local health and wellbeing policy. They collectively create knowledge by enacting networks of relationships which enable them to share and build on routines and discourses and to reach out for new evidence, perspectives and skills. When creating knowledge, managers’ ability to draw on and harmonise alternative programmes of action and their willingness to collectively negotiate is more important than their managerial status or position. Conclusions: Managers should be encouraged to examine and discuss their alternative programmes of action and to see these as a catalyst for rather than barrier to collectively creating and implementing local health and wellbeing policies, and should be supported and valued for their ability to harmonise conflicting programmes of action.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2018, Policy Press. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Evidence & Policy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | health and wellbeing; knowledge creation ; knowledge mobilisation; local policymaking |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2018 13:31 |
Last Modified: | 11 Jul 2019 00:40 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Policy Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1332/174426418X15314036922151 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:134527 |