title: The role of interpersonal communication in the process of knowledge mobilization 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 in a community-based organization (CBO).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a cross-sectional, whole-network design. In total, 56 staff 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 greater knowledge of the evidence-based physical activity resources available and engagement in physical activity promotion behaviours (ps < 0.05). Greater in-degree centrality was associated with adoption of evidence-based behaviours (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that interpersonal communication is associated with knowledge mobilization and highlight how the network structure could be improved for further dissemination efforts.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  diffusion of innovations; network analysis; community-based organization; knowledge mobilization; knowledge translation, interpersonal communication.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Gainforth
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, 28 Division Street, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada. amy.latimer@queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Latimer-Cheung
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Athanasopoulos
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Kathleen A Martin
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ginis
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans