Getting the message out - disseminating research findings to employees in large rural mining organisations

Abstract

Objective: To identify that effective dissemination of research results in large organisations is possible through novel approaches.

Setting: Two mine sites in Western Australia.

Subjects: All employees working in two large mining organisations in rural Australia.

Primary argument: To encourage employees to participate in research it is essential to disseminate findings. Currently utilised dissemination methods include conference presentations, journal articles and company reports. However these methods of dissemination do not reach all employees and often neglect to inform employees below middle management levels of the outcomes of projects. It is imperative that researchers develop strategies through a consultative process with industry to inform people of research findings. This paper argues that despite ongoing rhetoric concerning the need to disseminate research there is little evidence in the literature that describes effective methods of dissemination in large organisations.

Conclusion: Discussion during each focus group highlighted the dissatisfaction staff had regarding involvement in research projects as they rarely received any feedback or perceived any improvement. By organising a research steering group including membership by all key stakeholder groups from senior management to junior staff and identifying dissemination of results as a priority the research team developed a climate of trust. Dissemination of results through posters was a decision made by the team in response to staff dissatisfaction. This ‘bottom up’ approach created a climate of ownership catalysing behaviour change.