Program > Friday > 15:15 > Session 7. Knowledge exchange in OHS

Paper: Marching to a different drummer: the role of the networks in knowledge transfer in the construction sector
Author(s) and Affiliation(s):
Niki Carlan University of Waterloo
Desre Kramer, Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders,
Enzo Garritano, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
Philip Bigelow, University of Waterloo
Peter Vi, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association
Richard Wells, Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Marek Plawinski, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.
Session : 7. Knowledge exchange in OHS
Day/Time: Friday at 15:15
Room: Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Objectives:

Our research is aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disabilities (MSDs) in the construction sector. We have identified 15 innovations that have the potential to reduce MSDs and we are exploring techniques to transfer knowledge about these tools, processes and messages. Because the construction sector is nonlinear in its structure, it requires creative approaches to knowledge transfer. This component of the research is focused on identifying networks which will be the future audiences for knowledge transfer.

Methods:

After receiving ethics approval, we visited worksites to identify innovations, consulted health and safety specialists and scoured trade magazines. We identified 16 companies that used 20 innovations. The innovations were evaluated by measuring work forces, vibration and muscular exertion using electromyography. We determined 15 innovations had the potential to reduce MSDs. Our previous research taught us that there are multiple paths of communication operating in the sector. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 managers to determine how they learned about innovations. We used a snowball technique and contacted 10 more people, who could adopt innovations. These interviews were conducted in-person or by phone and lasted between half and one-and-a-half hours. The majority of the interviews were taped and transcribed. When taping was not possible, the interviewers took detailed notes. Members of the research team reviewed all the data and agreed upon themes that addressed the structure of the networks.

Results:

We identified a series of complex networks operating in the construction sector. These networks include designers, trade associations, unions, health and safety committees, committees and groups organized by the CSAO, project networks where multiple companies come together, associations of unionized and non-unionized workers, apprenticeship programs, and financial committees which manage pension/benefit trust funds. Each network is structured differently and some have the potential to channel information that can improve health and safety. Four networks have a direct bearing on health and safety: the worksite/project network; the union network; the apprenticeship network; and the Construction Safety Association Ontario network.

Conclusions:

Construction is a fluid sector, which includes existing networks as communication paths. These networks, including worksite networks offer top-down and bottom-up knowledge transfer. The union network offers a potential for knowledge transfer, which has to be developed. Finally in the GTA, the government sponsored Construction Safety Association (Ontario) has played an important role as a secretariat providing the resources for labour and management to come together, providing technical training for workers and managers; and providing a forum for problem solving. Successful knowledge transfer will recognize that significant social networks exist and they can facilitate the introduction of innovations.

References:

[1] L. K. Bartholomew, G. S. Parcel, G. Kok, N. H. Gottlieb, Planning Health Promotion Programs: An Intervention Mapping Approach, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2006.
[2] N. Woolsey Biggart, and R. P. Castanias, Collateralized Social Relations: The Social in Economic Calculation American Journal of Economics and Sociology 60(2) (2001), 471 -500.
[3] M. Bresen, L. Edelman, S. Newell, H. Scarborough and J. Swan, Exploring social capital in the construction firm, Building Research and Information 33(3) (2005), 235-244.
[4] G. Cardosa Societies in Transition to Network Society in The Network Society edited by Castells and Cardosa, Washington: Center for Transatlantic Relations, 2006.
[5] Construction Safety Association of Ontario Web Page Retrieved on June 8, 2009 at http//www.csao.org.
[6] Construction Safety Association Annual Report 2008 Retrieved on April 4, 2009 at http///www/csao.org.
[7] Construction Safety Association data collected 2009.
[8] A.M. DeJong and P. Vink, The adoption of technological innovations for glaziers: evaluation of a participatory ergonomics approach, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 26 (2000), 39-46.
[9] P. Entzel, J. Albers and L. Welch, Best practices for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in masonry: Stakeholder perspectives, Applied Ergonomics 38 (2007), 557-566.
[10] M. Gillena, S. Koolsa, J. Sumb, C. McCalla and K. Mouldenc, Construction workers’ perceptions of management safety practices: A qualitative investigation, Work 23 (2004), 245–256.
[11] S.D. Green, The missing arguments of lean construction, Construction Management and Economics 17 (1999), 133-137.
[12] T. Greenhalgh, G. Robert, P. Bate, O. Kyriakidou, F. Macfarlane and R. Peacock, How to spread good ideas: A systematic review of the literature on diffusion, dissemination and sustainability of innovations in health service delivery and organization. London: National Coordinating Centre for NHS Service Delivery and Organization R & D 2004.
[13] T. Greenhalgh, G. Robert, F. MacFarlane, P. Bate and O, Kyriakidou, Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: Systematic review and recommendations, The Milbank Quarterly 82 (2004), 581-629.
[14] N. Gunnigham, Integrating Management Systems and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Journal of Law and Society 26(3) (1999), 192-214.
[15] X. Huang and J. Hinze, Owner's Role in Construction Safety, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management Feb 2006, 164-173.
[16] P. King, J. C. Fisher and A. Garg, Evaluation of the impact of employee ergonomics training in industry, Applied Ergonomics 28(4) (1997), 249-256.
[17] D. Kramer and R. Wells, Achieving buy-in: building networks to facilitate knowledge transfer, Science Communication 26(4) (2005), 428-444.
[18] D. Kramer, P. Bigelow, P. Vi, E. Garritano, N. Carlan and R. Wells, Spreading good ideas: A case study of the adoption of an innovation in the construction sector, Applied Ergonomics 40 (2009), 826-832.
[19] P. A. Landsbergis, J. Cahill, P. Schnall, The impact of lean production and related new systems of work organization on workers' health, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology 4(2) (1999),108-130.
[20] B. Latour, Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor Network Theory, New York: Oxford Press, 2005.
[21] J.N. Lavis, D. Robertson, J.M. Woodside, C.B. McLeod, J. Abelson and the Knowledge Transfer Study Group, How can research groups more effectively transfer research knowledge to decisions makers? The Milbank Quarterly 81(2) (2003), 221-248.
[22] M.M. Lehtola, H F. van der Molen, J. Lappalainen, P.L.T. Hoonakker, H. Hsiao, R.A. Haslam, A.R. Hale and J. H. Verbeek, The effectiveness for Preventing Injuries in the construction industry, American Journal of Preventive Medicine 35 (2008), 77-85.
[23] C. Mitton , C. Adiar, E. McKenzie, S.B. Patten and B.W. Perry, Knowledge transfer and exchange: Review and synthesis of the literature, The Milbank Quarterly 85 (2007), 729-768.
[24] S.M. Nutley, I. Walter and H.T.O. Davies, Using evidence: How research can inform public services,. Bristol: The Policy Press, 2007.
[25] M.A. Orlandi, Health promotion technology transfer: Organizational perspectives, Canadian Journal of Public Health 87 (1996), S28-S33.
[26] E. Otte and R. Rousseau, Social network analysis: a powerful strategy also for information sciences, Journal of Information Science 28 (6) (2002) 441-453.
[27] A.D.F. Price, A. Bryman and A.R.J. Dainty, Empowerment as a Strategy for Improving Construction Performance, Leadership and Management in Engineering January 2004, 27-37.
[28] M. Rinder, A. Genaidy, S. Salem, R. Shell and W. Karwowski, Interventions in the construction industry: A systematic review and critical appraisal, Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing,. 28, (2008), 212-229.
[29] E. Rogers, Diffusion of Innovation, fifth ed. Free Press, New York, 2003.
[30] D.G. Simons-Morton, B.G., Simons-Morton, G.S. Parcel and J.F. Bunker, Influencing personal and environmental conditions for community health: A multi-level intervention analytical instrument. Family and Community Health, 11 (1998), 25-35.
[31] E.S. Slaughter. Implementation of construction innovations, Building Research & Information, 28 (2000), 2-17.
[32] D. Spencer and N. Carlan, The Complexities of the Automotive Industry: Positive and Negative Feedback in the Production System, Canadian Journal of Sociology 33(2) (2008), 265-290.
[33] A. Suraji, K, Sulaiman, N.I Mahyuddin and O.Mohamed, Rethinking Construction Safety: An Introduction To Total Safety Management Journal Of Construction Research 7(1&2) (2006) 49– 63.
[34] H. F. Van der Molen, E. Koningsveld, R. Haslam, and A. Gibb, Editorial. Ergonomics in building and construction: Time for implementation, Applied Ergonomics. 36 (2005), 387-389.
[35] H.F. Van der Molen, J.K. Sluiter and M.H.W. Frings-Dresen, Behavioral change phases of different stakeholders involved in the implementation process of ergonomics measures in bricklaying. Applied Ergonomics 36 (2005), 449-459.
[36] M D. Weil, Building Safety: The role of construction unions in the enforcement of OSHA, Journal of Labor Research XIII (1992 ), 121-132.
[37] M.G. Weinstein, S.F. Hecker, J.A. Hess and L Kincl, Roadmap to Diffuse Ergonomic Innovations in the Construction Industry: There is Nothing So Practical as Good Theory, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 13 (1) (2007), 46-55.
[38] E. C. Wenger and W.M. Snyder, Communities of Practice: The Organizational Frontier ,Harvard Business Review January- February 2000, 139-145.
[39] R. Wolford, Intervention Research in Construction: A Hypothetical Case Study of Painters, American Journal of Industrial Medicine 29 (1996), 431-434.
[40] J. Womack and D. Jones, Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in your Corporation, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996.