Knowledge Translation in Academic Research: a Case Study of Iranian Universities

Dakhesh, Sara; Khademizadeh, Shahnaz; ZareiVenovel, Mojgan; Khezri, Rozhan

doi:10.22034/jipm.2025.2071609.2090

Knowledge Translation in Academic Research: a Case Study of Iranian Universities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sara Dakhesh ¹

Shahnaz Khademizadeh ²

Mojgan ZareiVenovel ³

Rozhan khezri ⁴

¹ Postdoctoral Researcher Medical Librarianship and Information Science. Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

² Associate Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

³ Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

⁴ Ph.D Candidate in Epidemiology, Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran

10.22034/jipm.2025.2071609.2090

Abstract

With the world's shift toward a knowledge-based economy, knowledge and its management have become vital factors in maintaining the competitive strength of organizations and industries. In this regard, examining the process of knowledge translation in universities and industries is of particular importance. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to assess the state of knowledge translation among researchers at Iranian universities (Shahid Chamran of Ahvaz, Lorestan, Hormozgan, and Persian Gulf University of Bushehr). This study is categorized as a survey research type and is applied in nature. The research population consisted of 285 faculty members from the engineering faculties of four universities: Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Persian Gulf University of Bushehr, Lorestan University, and Hormozgan University. Data were collected using the “Self-Assessment Questionnaire on Knowledge Translation Activities of University Researchers,” which consists of 30 items organized into four domains: “Research Question,” “Knowledge Creation,” “Knowledge Transfer,” and “Promotion of Using Evidence.” In addition to descriptive statistics, the data analysis for this study utilized ANOVA tests and regression analysis. The results showed that the mean total score of the knowledge translation process at Persian Gulf Universities—Bushehr (99.97 ± 19.93) and Lorestan (99.80 ± 15.30)—was higher than at Hormozgan University (93.94 ± 21.49) and Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (93.55 ± 21.76). Among the examined components, the highest mean belonged to the element "Knowledge Transfer," and the lowest mean related to “Promotion of Using Evidence". Additionally, it was found that all components of the knowledge translation process significantly contributed to explaining and predicting researchers’ performance (p < 0.001), and the standardized coefficients (Beta) indicate that the knowledge transfer component had the greatest effect on knowledge translation performance with a coefficient of 0.95, followed by knowledge creation (0.90), promotion of using evidence (0.86), and research question (0.85). The results of this study indicate that establishing systematic links between universities and stakeholders can enhance the effectiveness of knowledge translation and help improve evidence-based decision-making at the national level. It is recommended that future researches focus on knowledge translation within executive organizations and industries, using tools localized for the organizational dimension.

Keywords

Knowledge Translation

Research Question

Knowledge Creation

Knowledge Transfer

Promotion of Using Evidence

Practical Research

Industry

Subjects

Information and Knowledge Management Systems

فهرست منابع

اسکندریه، شراره، سجاد قانع عزآبادی، رضا شیرکوهی، بهاره یزدی‌زاده، و محمدعلی صحراییان. 1402. ترجمان دانش در آموزش پزشکی ایران. نشریه فرهنگ و ارتقاء سلامت ۷ (۴): 631-640.

بابااکبری ساری، امیر، محمد قهرمانی، کوروش فتحی واجارگاه، و علیرضا مؤتمنی. 1400. ارائه الگوی ارزشیابی اثرات پژوهش‌های مدیریتی. پژوهش‌های مدیریت در ایران 21 (1): 93-119.

دهقانی، سمیه، و فاطمه منصوری. 1401. طراحی و تحلیل انتقال دانش در فرایند نوآوری مشارکتی دانشگاه - صنعت بر اساس نظریه شبکه اجتماعی. نشریه علمی رویکردهای پژوهشی نوین مدیریت و حسابداری 6 (20): 501-522.

رستمی، وحیده، پیوند باستانی، زهرا کاووسی، و رامین روانگرد. 1398. وضعیت ترجمان دانش در دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شیراز. راهبردهای مدیریت در نظام سلامت ۴ (۳): 219-۲2۹.

صادق‌زاده وایقان، علی، محمد حسن‌زاده، و اعظم نجفقلی‌نژاد ورجوی. 1392. اطلاعات و جریان اطلاعات در سازمان‌ها. تهران: کتابدار.

صدیقی، ژیلا، سیدرضا مجدزاده، سحرناز نجات، اکبر فتوحی، علی شهیدزاده، ژاله غلامی، ... و کامران یزدانی. 1386. طراحی مدل «ترجمه دانش» جهت بهره‌گیری از نتایج پژوهش. مجله پایش 7 (1): 35-47.

صدیقی، ژیلا، سیدرضا مجدزاده، سحرناز نجات، و ژاله غلامی. 1387. ترجمه دانش و بهره‌برداری از نتایج پژوهش. تهران: دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران.

صراطی شیرازی، منصوره، و روح‌اله خادمی. 1402. کانال‌‌های جریان دانش میان دانشگاه و صنعت: بررسی علم‌سنجی و مروری. علوم و فنون مدیریت اطلاعات 9 (3): 33-54.

عظیمی، علی، صنعت جو، اعظم، دیانی، محمدحسین، و رحمت اله فتاحی. 1396. ترجمه دانش و بررسی اثربخشی آن در علوم پزشکی. تعامل انسان و اطلاعات 4(2): 1-16.

نورالهی، سعید، و سیروس قنبری. 1403. شناسایی پیشایندها و پسایندهای مرزگستری ارتباط صنعت و دانشگاه با رویکرد فراترکیب آمیخته. فصلنامه جامعه شناسی کاربردی 35 (1): 83- 108.

References

Abbas, A., A. Avdic, K. C. Barker & P. Xiaobao. 2018. Knowledge transfer from universities to industry through university technology transfer offices. Science and Innovation 14 (2): 5-18.

Acadia, S. 2016. Knowledge translation and ethics in public and population health from a knowledge management perspective. Ethics, Medicine and Public Health 2 (2): 302-309.

Azimi, A., A. Sanatjoo M. H. Dayani, & R. Fattahi. 2017. Knowledge Translation and an Assessment of its Effectiveness in Medical Fields. Human Information Interaction 4 (2): 1-16. [In Persian].

BabaAkbariSari, A., M. Ghahremani, K. Fathi Vajargah, & A. Moatameni. 2017. Developing Management Researches Impacts Assessment Model. Management Research in Iran 21 (1): 93-119. [In Persian].

Borges, R. 2012. Tacit knowledge sharing between IT workers: The role of organizational culture, personality, and social environment. Management Research Review 36 (1): 89-108.

Bustelo, M., & O. Salido. 2024. Gender biases in the evaluation of knowledge transfer: A meta-evaluative analysis of the Spanish “Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Sexennium”. Evaluation and Program Planning 104: 102432.

Campione, E., M. Wampler, & A. Newell. 2025. Methodological description of knowledge translation: Implementation of clinical practice guidelines into clinical practice. The Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13304.

Canonico, P., E. De Nito, V. Esposito, M. Pezzillo Iacono, & G. Mangia. 2020. Understanding knowledge translation in university–industry research projects: a case analysis in the automotive sector. Management Decision 58 (9): 1863-1884.

Chalmers, I., & P. Glasziou. 2009. Avoidable waste in the production and reporting of research evidence. The Lancet 374 (9683): 86-89.

Dakhesh, S., A. Ostovar, B. Yazdizadeh, & A. Hamidi. 2018a. Knowledge translation process among academic researchers: A case study of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. Libri 68 (3): 259-268.

Dakhesh, S., Pouladi, S., Ostovar, A., Yazdizadeh, B., & Hamidi, A. 2018b. Psychometric of the Self-Assessment Tool of Academic Researchers Knowledge Translation Activities. International Journal of Information Science and Management (IJISM) 16 (2): 127-142.

Dehghani, S., & F. Mansouri. 2022. Design and Analysis of Knowledge Transfer in the Process of University-Industry Collaborative Innovation Based on Social Network Theory. Journal of New Research Approaches in Management and Accounting 6 (84): 501-522. [In Persian].

Eskandarieh, S., S. Ghane Ezabadi, R. Shirkoohi, B. Yazdizadeh, & M. A. Sahraian. 2024. Knowledge Translation in Medical Education in Iran. Iranian Journal of Culture and Health Promotion 7 (4) :631-640. [In Persian].

Hildebrandt, M. G., K. Kidholm, J. E. Pedersen, M. Naghavi-Behzad, T. Knudsen, A. Krag, ... & K. Brixen. 2022. How to increase value and reduce waste in research: initial experiences of applying Lean thinking and visual management in research leadership. British Medical Journal Open (BMJ open) 12 (6): e058179.

Inanga, E. L., & W. B. Schneider. 2005. The failure of accounting research to improve accounting practice: a problem of theory and lack of communication. Critical Perspectives on Accounting 16 (3): 227-248.

Kotur, M. 2023. Role of Librarian in Facilitating Research Collaboration: An Analysis. SSRN Electronic. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4830333 (accessed July 27, 2025)

Meadow, C. T., B. R. Boyce, D. H. Kraft, & C. Barry. 2017. Text information retrieval systems. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Mirezati, S., H. Vakilimofrad, & M. Saberi. 2020. Knowledge Translation in Universities: An Experience from Iran. Library Philosophy and Practice 1: 1-5.

Mitchell, P.H. 2004. Lost in Translation? Journal of Professional Nursing 20 (4): 214-215.

Nonaka, I., R. Toyama, & N. Konno. 2000. SECI, Ba and leadership: a unified model of dynamic knowledge creation. Long Range Planning 33 (1): 5-34.

Norollahee, S., & S. Ghanbari. 2024. Identifying the Antecedents and Consequences of Boundary Spanning of Industry and University Communication with a Mixed Meta-Synthesis Approach. Journal of Applied Sociology the University of Isfahan 35 (1): 83-108. [In Persian].

Onyura, B., F. Légaré, L. Baker, S. Reeves, J. Rosenfield, S. Kitto, ... & K. Leslie. 2015. Affordances of knowledge translation in medical education: a qualitative exploration of empirical knowledge use among medical educators. Academic Medicine 90 (4): 518-524.

Pau, A., H. Omar, S. Khan, A. Jassim, L. L. Seow, & C. G. Toh. 2017. Factors associated with faculty participation in research activities in dental schools. Singapore Dental Journal 38: 45-54.

Rogers, M. 2024. Publishing research-based news articles: Opportunities and challenges for creating effective knowledge translation. Issues in Educational Research 34 (2): 699-718.

Rosen, N. O., & L. A. Brotto. 2021. Introduction to the special section on innovative knowledge translation in sex research. Archives of Sexual Behavior 50 (1): 17-21.

Rostami, V., P. Bastani, Z. Kavosi, & R. Ravangard. 2019. Knowledge Translation Status in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Management Strategies in Health System 4 (3): 219-229. [In Persian].

Sadeghzadeh Vayeghan, A., M. Hassanzadeh, & A. Najaf Gholi Nejad Varjovi. 2013. Information and information flow in organizations. Tehran: Ketabdar. [In Persian].

Seddighi, J., R. Majdzadeh, S. Nedjat, S. Fotouhi, A. Shahidzade, J. Gholarni, M. Yonesian, A. Rashidian, B. Mesgarpour, A. Eternadi, & K. Yazdani. 2008. Knowledge translation: a model for research utilization. Payesh Journal 7 (1): 35-47. [In Persian].

Seddighi, J., R. Majdzadeh, S. Nejat, & Z. Gholami. 2009. Knowledge translation and exploitation of research results. Tehran: Tehran University of Medical Sciences. [In Persian].

Serati Shirazi, M., & R. Khademi. 2023. Knowledge Flow Channels Between University and Industry: Scientometrics and Review Study. Journal of Sciences and Techniques of Information Management 9 (3): 33-54. [In Persian].

Ting, S. H., S. Yahya, & C. L. Tan. 2019. The influence of researcher competence on university-industry collaboration: The mediating role of domain knowledge transfers and spillovers. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies 11 (2): 277-303.

Usman, A. G. 2024. Research Output and Knowledge Translation Among Faculty Members of University of Technology, Jamaica. Texila International Journal of Academic Research 11 (1): 134-154.