Table 3 Details of attributes in each category, and example of tool items
Category | Attribute | Examples of individual tool items + source |
|---|---|---|
OL culture | Climate:, e.g., openness, respect, trust | Open communication is a characteristic of the Department (CCS)[102] |
| Â | Learning as a key value | The basic values of the Department include learning as a key to improvement (OLC3)[94] |
| Â | Involving the individual | Managers frequently involve staff in important decisions (OLS2)[95] |
| Â | Valuing the individual | The organisation considers individuals to be an asset (OLS1)[110] |
Vision | Existence of key strategic aims | Managing knowledge is central to the organisation's strategy (KMAT)[103] |
| Â | Existence of policies and infrastructures | There are specific infrastructures to support the research process (ABC)[107] |
| Â | Communication | Management clearly communicates key research strategy and priorities (BART)[98] |
| Â | Shared vision/goals | There is widespread support and acceptance of the organisation's mission statement (OLS2)[95] |
Leadership | Presence of leadership | Strong professional leadership (KEYS)[93] |
| Â | Existence of committees and representation | Nursing representation on research committee, council etc (ABC)[107] |
| Â | Managerial processes and attributes | Management proactively addresses problems (OLC1)[104] |
Knowledge need | Existence of a questioning culture | Nurses are encouraged to question their practices (ABC)[107] |
| Â | Learning from experience | Problems are discussed openly and without blame (OLS1)[110] |
| Â | Recognising and valuing existing knowledge | There are best practice repositories in my organisation (KMQ)[109] |
Acquisition of new knowledge | Accessing information | Network access to information databases available to all (OLS1)[110] |
| Â | Information dissemination | Use of communication skills to present information in a 'user friendly' way (BART)[98] |
| Â | Exposure to new information | Attendance at conferences/presentations that give information (RUS)[99, 100] |
Knowledge sharing | Promoting internal knowledge transfer | Employees are encouraged to discuss xperiences/expertise with colleagues (KMS)[97] |
| Â | Supporting teamwork | Multi-professional review and audit (ABC)[107] |
| Â | Knowledge transfer technology/mechanisms | Technology to support collaboration is available and placed rapidly in the hands of employees (KMAT)[103] |
| Â | Promoting external contacts | We have a system that allows us to learn successful practices from other organisations (OLS2)[95] |
Knowledge use | Encouraging innovation | This firm promotes experimentation and innovation as a way of improving the work processes (OLC2).[96] |
| Â | Developing expertise | We are encouraged to attend training programmes (KMQ)[109] |
| Â | Role recognition and incentives/reward | Nurses who participate in the research process receive recognition for their involvement (ABC)[107] |
|  | Support and access to expertise a) internal-management b) internal – peers c) internal – others b) external | Cooperative agreements with Universities etc formed (KMS)[97] |
| Â | Access to resources a) funding b) time c) evaluation and data capture technology d) authority | My organisation provides resources for the utilisation of nursing research (RandD)[47] |