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Helen N. Watts

Can the research-practice gap ever really be bridged? Applying the ‘applied’ in evidence-based organisational practice. Helen N. Watts. Overview. Applied Occupational Psychology research My research Challenges for researchers Evidence-based organisational practice

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Helen N. Watts

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  1. Can the research-practice gap ever really be bridged? Applying the ‘applied’ in evidence-based organisational practice. Helen N. Watts

  2. Overview • Applied Occupational Psychology research • My research • Challenges for researchers • Evidence-based organisational practice • Blending facts and knowledge • Applying the applied? • Barriers • Bridging your gap? Helen N. Watts

  3. Applied Occupational Psychology research • Applied research is concerned with researching issues arising from a work-based setting (Warr, 2000) • Challenges for applied researchers: addressing different needs, balancing relevance and rigour • However, further challenges in actually ‘applying the applied’ research to inform evidence-based practice within organisations Helen N. Watts

  4. My research • The factors affecting the processes of membership cancellation, switching and word-of mouth • Current application of relationship marketing across health and fitness clubs in the UK. • Semi-structured interviews, CIT, quantitative questionnaires (cross-sectional and longitudinal studies) Helen N. Watts

  5. Challenges for researchers • Balancing needs Organisation Researcher Sponsor HEI/ Research unit Helen N. Watts

  6. Challenges for researchers • Balancing relevance and rigour, aiming to overlap Pragmatic Popularist Pedantic Helen N. Watts

  7. Evidence-based organisational practice • Depends on evidence-based management “Evidence-based management derives principles from research evidence and translates them into practices that solve organisational problems.” (Rousseau, 2006) • Applied research should create real evidence (general & specific recommendations) Evidence-base Need for translation (contextual fact-finding) Helen N. Watts

  8. Blending facts and knowledge • Managers who practice the research evidence, blending fact-finding with social science knowledge, for interpretation/ decision-making • This is real bridging of the gap RESEARCH PRACTICE Helen N. Watts

  9. Applying the applied? • The great ‘applied’ misnomer- • Wide variation in organisational practices (appraisal, restructuring) • Evidence vs. fads! “Adopted overenthusiatically, implemented inadequately, then discarded prematurely in favour of the latest trend” (Walshe & Russell, 2001) Helen N. Watts

  10. Barriers to applying the applied • Current culture (social networks etc.) • ‘Applying’ = change (individual propensity) • Threat • Uniqueness paradox • Unfamiliarity (less than 1%, Rynes, Brown & Colbert, 2002) • Diversity across an organisation’s managers credentials • Time/cost constraints • Educators! (cutting edge or old wives’ tales?) Helen N. Watts

  11. Applying the applied: Bridging your gap BARRIERS • Current culture • Propensity for change • Manager diversity • Uniqueness paradox • Threat • Time/cost constraints • Education AWARENESS: Additional research? CONSIDERATION: Show use of local facts/ blend of perspectives PROMOTION: Business cases to show ROIs INTEGRITY: On-going research Helen N. Watts

  12. Thank you Helen N. Watts

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