Traces the study of knowledge utilization through three waves. First (1920-1960) involved studies about the diffusion of agricultural innovations to farmers. The second (1960-1980) emphasized both the dissemination and use of innovations emerging from research and demonstration activities, and innovation adoption by organizations as well as individuals. The interlude (1980s) featured sharply reduced federal support for research about knowledge utilization. The third wave (1990-present) showed greater emphasis on federal partnerships with state and local entities to improve health, education, and human services. Interest also increased in policy, research and programmatic activities regarding knowledge utilization.
James F. Evans Collection, This article provides an assessment of the fields of knowledge creation, diffusion, and utilization from the perspective of the founding editor of this journal. Where are researchers in the development of this area of inquiry? What are some of the critical agenda items for the future? The article argues that the field faces the following issues: a crisis of legitimacy, a lack of theory development, problems in measurement of the phenomenon being explored, and stalled development in terms of posing challenging questions. The article concludes that this is an open agenda in the fields of knowledge creation, diffusion, and utilization. Once some closure is reached on the measurement issues, then it should be possible to advance a systematic theory of knowledge production and utilization. Unfortunately, the field has not been characterized by studies that consciously build other. Instead, the "wheel" has been reinvented on many different occasions. (original)
