ICM Strategies for Bridging the Gaps in the Science Technology and Innovation Systems

This article focuses on agricultural science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) in Kenya. It argues that, "for ST&I to become engines of economic development, there is need not only for policies that govern their application but also policies promoting ST&I. Importantly, developing countries desperately need to put in place Information Communication Management (ICM) strategies to ensure that ST&I products are appropriately processed, promoted and used by target stakeholders."

The document gives a general overview of the ST&I systems, beginning with definitions, then identifying products and gaps in the system as they relate to the need for ICM strategies. Further, it highlights the critical elements of ICM strategies and concludes with global recommendations on areas that need immediate attention.

Encompassing the research system, education system, and Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS), the author’s discussion cites information communication challenges and then lists the following information management strategies:

1) "Fostering policy, regulatory and network readiness, by supporting the development of an adequate enabling environment for efficiency, competition and innovation in knowledge sharing and development of information and communication technologies.

2) Building of human capacity for the knowledge economy, by promoting excellence in education.... Associated activities should include working towards getting schools, colleges and libraries online, and promoting development of innovative approaches that extend the reach of education and training such as distance learning, community-based training, and networking of educational institutions. Within agricultural research, the equivalent would be the establishment of virtual networks of excellence (VNE). These are research programmes jointly sponsored and conducted by research institutes in different geographic locations, with research personnel communicating and collaborating primarily via new technologies like the internet and World Wide Web (WWW)....These systems should be as dynamic and responsive to change in tune with ICT/M [information and communication technology/management]trends and user needs for effectiveness.

3) Building of functional ICT/M infrastructure and capacity for generation, acquisition, processing, sharing, storing and archiving of information and knowledge assets. This encompasses continued efforts to expand basic connectivity and access, and investments in information technology applications. Key activities include mobilizing resources to improve information infrastructure, working on ways to reduce the cost of connectivity; supporting community access programs, and developing local content and entrepreneurial information technology opportunities. Specific details in this area should include establishments of digital libraries, information portals and applications of standards like metadata to enhance information exchange between and within institutions.

4) Partnership is another complementary strategy, which is based on voluntary, decentralized and self-governing multi-stakeholder cooperation. Partnerships... create new windows of opportunity, aimed to improve the implementation of the sustainability agenda...."

The author concludes that improvements in dissemination of research to and communication with policymakers include strengthening research communication skills, which could be enhanced by constructing interactive dialogue platforms. Further, support is needed for research networks, especially electronic, national, and regional networks, and for communication of research to end users. For communicating to end users, the author proposes:

* “Incorporate communication activities into project design, taking into account, for example gender, local context and existing ways of communication and possibilities for new ways of communicating through ICTs (e.g. community radios, rural info-centres, mobile telephones).


* Encourage user engagement, map existing information demand and information use environment, and promote participative communication for empowerment (enhance the capacity for user needs analysis and impact assessment studies).


* Create an enabling environment (as failure of use of research/information is not always due to lack of communication, but can instead be due to lack of a favourable political environment or lack of resources)”.