The utilization process: A conceptual framework and synthesis of empirical findings

Although the literature on utilization of social science research is large and growing rapidly, the body of empirical studies on utilization is relatively small and discontinuous. A review of this literature yielded 27 empirical studies with data we considered relevant to the question of how to improve utilization of organizational research. In order to integrate and assess the results of these empirical studies, a conceptual framework of the utilization process in user systems is developed and used. Several types of use and various issues that recur are then identified and discussed within this framework. Twelve recommendations based on our analysis and synthesis of the accumulated empirical results are offered to assist interested organizational researchers in achieving greater utilization of their own and others’ research and in improving research on the utilization of research.