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Knowledge Systems for Development: A Survey of Core Questions, Tentative Answers

This survey explores the problem of underproduced and underutilized knowledge for development, with a focus on integrating knowledge into decision support systems. It discusses the challenges and potential improvements in harnessing science and technology for sustainable development.

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Knowledge Systems for Development: A Survey of Core Questions, Tentative Answers

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  1. Knowledge Systems for Development: A Survey of Core Questions, Tentative Answers Bill Clark Knowledge for Development Seminar September 25, 2003

  2. The Problem • Growing (recurrent) recognition that development "is built not merely through the accumulation of physical capital and human skill, but on a foundation of information, learning and adaptation…” but • Relevant knowledge is underproduced, underutilized, unevenly distributed… • (World Bank, 1999. World Development Report: Knowledge for development. New York: Oxford University Press).

  3. The Problem (cont) • Even the knowledge that exists is seldom integrated into systems that can support decision and application on the ground.

  4. The world almost certainly under-invests in knowledge… • Technology (“the growth of knowledge”) is dominant engine economic growth (Solow) • Marginal social rates of return to R&D v high… • Eg. In Ag, 40% to private, 70% to public R&D (Ruttan) • But private investments lag, in part because of large public spillovers, property rights issues… • Public investments static or falling due to perceived irrelevance, ineffectiveness of results (ICSU/TWAS/ISTS)

  5. Perceptions of the utility of R&D • Researchers are dissatisfied “because they are not listened to” while decision makers are dissatisfied “because they do not hear much they want to listen to…” • Lindblom and Cohen, 1979, Usable knowledge • Decision makers see the R&D community as problem-raisers, uninterested in solutions • ICSU/TWAS/ISTS, 2002, S&T for SD

  6. $/M people Inequalities in the capacity to create knowledge(4x greater than inequalities in income) (Source: WB, 1999) $ (1987)

  7. How to better harness science & technology to support decisions for SD? • Many policy measures being advocated… • “Send more money…” (Sachs) • Fix intellectual property rights (including TRIPS) • Build capacity (Johannesburg Summit) • Do more research (World Acads of Science) • Better monitoring and reporting (World Bank) • Reform institution X (UNEP, CGIAR, UNDP, WB…) • Probably all useful… but random and not obviously complementary or prioritized

  8. Decision-support /Knowledge systems… • Need to understand the “knowledge systems” that support decisions through… • set priorities, mobilize funds, do the R&D, review publications/promotions, facilitate practical application and reinvention… • Recognize these not designed from scratch, but evolve through time… • Example of a “knowledge system”… • The international agricultural research system

  9. S&T in the Agricultural R&D System Ruttan, from Huffman and Evenson, 1993

  10. Examples of other (relatively) effective knowledge systems • Agriculture: CGIAR commodity programs • Environment: ENSO applications programs • Health: WHO malaria campaigns • Military: US Smart weapon systems… • …

  11. Learning from experience with knowledge systems? • What distinguishes more from less effective knowledge systems? What can be learned about improving performance from comparisons? • We don’t know… • Little systematic research within problem areas • No comparison across problem areas (“Island empires”) • Yet some core challenges beginning to emerge • Goal of of our work is to explore these…

  12. Useful knowledge for decision support? • Knowledge that is used is perceived by decision makers to be simultaneously salient, credible, legitimate… not just one of these • Saliency (Is it relevant to decision making, to changing needs of specific users, producers?) • Credibility (Is it technically believable, endorsed by relevant evaluative communities?) • Legitimacy (Is it perceived to be politically fair, respectful, evenhanded by stakeholders?)

  13. How can knowledge systems be designed that better… • Empower end-users in setting priorities for R&D? • Create “location-specific” knowledge needed for decision support? • Integrate “basic” and “applied” approaches to produce “user-inspired basic research” (Stokes)? • Incorporate both tacit knowledge of practice and global knowledge, technology in local solutions? • Integrate public and private needs and capabilities? • Foster “boundary spanning” organizations to connect knowledge and action in pursuit of the above?

  14. For further information… • On the general challenge of harnessing science and technology for sustainability • http://sustainabilityscience.org • On knowledge systems research seminar at Harvard University • http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/sed/k4dev_sem.htm

  15. END

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