The role of interpersonal communication in the process of mobilizing evidence-based physical activity information within a community-based organization: A network analysis

Abstract

Background:  Diffusion of innovations theory has been widely used to explain knowledge mobilization of research findings.  This theory posits that individuals who are more interpersonally connected within an organization may be more likely to adopt an innovation (e.g., research evidence) than individuals who are less interconnected.  Research examining this tenet of diffusion of innovations theory in the knowledge mobilization literature is limited.  The purpose of the present study was to use network analysis to examine the role of interpersonal communication in the adoption and mobilization of the physical activity guidelines for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) among staff and volunteers in a community-based organization (CBO).  Methods:  The study used a cross-sectional, whole-network design.  In total, 81 participants completed the network survey.  Adoption of the guidelines was assessed using Rogers’ innovation-decision process and interpersonal communication was assessed using an online network instrument.  Results:  The patterns of densities observed within the network were indicative of a core-periphery structure revealing that interpersonal communication was greater within the core than between the core and periphery and within the periphery.  Membership in the core, as opposed to membership in the periphery, was associated with (1) greater knowledge of the evidence-based physical activity resources; and (2) engagement in physical activity promotion behaviours (ps < .05).  Greater in-degree centrality was related to greater knowledge of evidence-based information and behaviours (ps < .05).  Conclusion:  Findings suggest that interpersonal communication is associated with knowledge mobilization and highlight how the network structure could be improved for further dissemination efforts.   

Acknowledgments: I would like to acknowledge the Canadian Institute of Health Research for funding my doctoral training and the Social Science and Humanities Council of Canada for funding the Community-University Research Alliance Grant.