Institutional Memory and Agency Capacity to Implement Water Quality Policies
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Date
2011-12Author
Papperman, Anna L.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Knowledge management practices, or tools to retain the wealth of knowledge held
by employees, have been studied in business and management, but few articles have
addressed the impacts of knowledge management in natural resource agencies. This is
particularly important given high turnover and low hiring rates. This study applies the
organizational management concept of knowledge management to natural resources
agencies, and investigates how institutional knowledge, turnover, and low hiring rates
constrain or enhance respondents’ capacity to impact water quality. Data were collected
through twenty-one interviews with water quality professionals in the Upper Rock River
and Red Cedar River Watersheds of Wisconsin. Interviews were recorded and transcribed
for analysis. Data were categorized according to participant answers to interview
questions and frequency counts of categories were performed to highlight the differences
between the study areas as part of a comparative case study approach.
Results indicate that many of the respondents see turnover as a major issue while
few see it as beneficial. The high turnover and low hiring rates have resulted in the loss of
institutional knowledge and relationships with stakeholders or clients. Results also
indicate that few respondents use knowledge management tools to save information.
Recommendations for natural resources organizations and individuals to save
institutional knowledge in a usable, accessible manner include contact lists, standardized
project forms, employee experience reports, and annual organizational reviews. The tools
have been developed with consideration for the ease of implementation, risk of
implementation, cost (monetary and time), ease of use, and barriers to use.