Linking knowledge to innovation in government services: the case of solid waste services in local government in Sri Lanka (K2I Project)

Date

2011-07

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

LIRNEasia, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The objective of the action research project was to identify cost-effective and sustainable means of developing a Web of knowledge–based interactions that link any given local authority to (a) peer community (b) a knowledge community, or (c) civil society, and explore if and how such connectedness may lead to improved performance in solid waste management. We also wished to apply the concept of an innovation system to the Web of interactions so formed in order to illuminate the concept further. Using an action research methodology we have been able to elucidate that competency standards, and training and certification processes can sustain practitioner networks for cooperation in knowledge sharing in local government, and that, such practitioner networks need to be coupled with tools such as ranking surveys that create a competitive environment in the sector. Facilitating linkages between local authorities and universities or civil society groups proved to be difficult. Some possible reasons are explored.

Description

Keywords

INNOVATION SYSTEMS, KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SOLID WASTES

Citation

DOI