Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Knowledge ...

Charles Gagné et al
Figure 1: The IRSST Research and Knowledge Translation Cycle
The active involvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> KTA is instrumental in all research team activities (including <strong>the</strong> coconstruction
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research agenda, <strong>the</strong> scientific/non-scientific activities and <strong>the</strong> KT activities related
to <strong>the</strong> dissemination <strong>of</strong> results). The KTA’s role must be tailored to <strong>the</strong> research agenda to maximize
his or her contribution to each research project. In addition to participating in KT strategies in
collaboration with <strong>the</strong> research team, <strong>the</strong> KTA interfaces with <strong>the</strong> SHs, mainly to form a follow-up
committee and to develop and facilitate <strong>the</strong> committee’s activities. The committee’s role is to provide
its field expertise to <strong>the</strong> researchers during <strong>the</strong> definition, development and realization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research
project. These SHs act as intermediaries with <strong>the</strong> workplaces. We will illustrate <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong>
this framework <strong>of</strong> practice in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> a research project on knowledge management conducted
in <strong>the</strong> mining sector.
3. Translating <strong>the</strong> knowledge generated by a research project on knowledge
management: <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mining industry
A number <strong>of</strong> studies have investigated intergenerational knowledge transfer in workplaces from <strong>the</strong>
perspective <strong>of</strong> organizational performance, but also that <strong>of</strong> employment injury prevention. In fact, a
greater risk <strong>of</strong> employment injuries is noted among young worker cohorts. Several studies <strong>of</strong> various
pr<strong>of</strong>essions in diverse economic activity sectors have shown that older, experienced personnel
develop numerous work strategies that allow <strong>the</strong>m to deal with <strong>the</strong> many constraints encountered in
<strong>the</strong>ir work and <strong>the</strong>reby protect <strong>the</strong>mselves from risks (Cloutier, 1994; Pueyo, 1998). Thus, <strong>the</strong>
transmission <strong>of</strong> this “prudent knowledge” (knowledge <strong>of</strong> safe work behaviours) also becomes an issue
for companies, particularly those working in high-risk activity sectors.
In this context, <strong>the</strong> IRSST developed a research program on <strong>the</strong> transmission <strong>of</strong> job-related and
prudent knowledge in workplaces. Above all, <strong>the</strong> projects in this program seek to identify <strong>the</strong>
conditions that may support or hinder knowledge transmission between workers <strong>of</strong> varying ages and
experience. The goal is to ensure <strong>the</strong> safe, competent integration <strong>of</strong> new workers as well as <strong>the</strong>
retention <strong>of</strong> aging workers. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> research projects in this program is being carried out in <strong>the</strong>
mining sector. The Quebec mining industry is experiencing a growing need for manpower. In addition,
nearly 30% <strong>of</strong> its workforce is expected to retire over <strong>the</strong> next five years. The issues <strong>of</strong> recruiting and
integrating a new workforce are <strong>the</strong>refore paramount concerns for mining companies, which are also
faced with recurrent problems involving worker absences due to illnesses or injuries that are partly
317