Pana September 1, Knowledge SUCCESS hosted a webinar to share findings from formative research recently completed by Knowledge SUCCESS. The research, Nyanzvi Dzekuronga Mhuri Rwendo rweKuzvibata muKutarisira Ruzivo, looked at possible psychological and behavioral drivers behind how four groups of FP/RH professionals (vatariri vepurogiramu, technical advisors, vatsvakurudzi, uye vanogadzira mitemo) search for and share information.
The hour-long session featured four speakers from the project:
- Ruwaida Salem, Senior Program Officer, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication; Knowledge Solutions Team Lead, Zivo SUCCESS
- Sarah Hopwood, Senior Associate, Busara Center for Behavioral Economics
- Salim Seif Kombo, Associate, Busara Center for Behavioral Economics
- Anne Ballard Sara, Program Officer II, Johns Hopkins Center yeKutaurirana Zvirongwa
Overview of Knowledge Management and Behavioral Economics
The webinar started off defining knowledge management and behavioral economics. Kutarisira ruzivo is a systematic process of COLLECTING knowledge and CONNECTING people to it. Behavioral economics is the application of psychological insights to understand decisionmaking and explain why our behaviors may vary. Sarah Hopwood (Uchenjeri) explained why BE is a useful tool to examine KM. The truth is that our best intentions when it comes to knowledge management don’t always translate to action. BE can help us understand why, and come up with a plan to address behavioral or psychological barriers and opportunities. Hopwood also reviewed the formative research objectives and methods.
Research Findings: How People Seek Out Information
Salim Kombo (Uchenjeri) and Ruwaida Salem (CCP) delved into specific behavioral economics mechanisms that are relevant to the ways in which FP/RH professionals seek out ruzivo: sarudzo yakawandisa, cognitive overload, uye zvidzidzo zvekudzidza. With each mechanism, they covered relevant formative research findings and explained how the BE mechanism and research findings, applied together, have implications for knowledge management within the FP/RH community. Pakupedzisira, they briefly outlined recommendations for how to address barriers.
Research Findings: How People Share Information
Anne Ballard Sara (CCP) shared specific behavioral economics mechanisms that are relevant to the ways in which FP/RH professionals share ruzivo: magariro evanhu uye incentives. With each mechanism, she covered relevant formative research findings and explained how the BE mechanism and research findings, applied together, have implications for knowledge management within the FP/RH community. Pakupedzisira, she briefly outlined recommendations for how to address barriers.
Key Takeaways
Ruwaida Salem (CCP) wrapped the presentations by summarizing the key takeaways. To address choice uye cognitive overload, present people with a few, curated, high-quality resources. To address zvidzidzo zvekudzidza, make use of different learning formats beyond the “traditional” text-based articles. Embrace video and interactive experiences. To address incentives, provide recognition of positive KM behaviors, like sharing information with colleagues or across organizations. Pakupedzisira, to address magariro evanhu around KM, seek buy-in from KM champions within organizations and networks.
Webinar Materials
- Download the webinar handout: How People Search For, Share, and Use Knowledge: 5 Common Barriers and How to Address Them
- Télécharger le document du webinaire: Comment rechercher, partager et utiliser les connaissances: Cinq obstacles répandus et comment les surmonter
- Download the webinar Q&A: Written responses to audience questions
