Knowledge Broker Roles and Uptake Success in Health Policy Units: Insights from Panel Analysis

Abstract

The translation of academic research into actionable health policy remains a critical challenge in contemporary public administration and health systems management. This study investigates the mechanisms through which knowledge brokers facilitate the uptake of evidence-based interventions within health policy units. Utilizing a longitudinal panel data approach spanning a decade across multiple regional health authorities, the research analyzes the specific roles undertaken by knowledge brokers—namely, information dissemination, network building, and capacity development—and evaluates their differential impacts on policy uptake success. Drawing upon comprehensive administrative datasets and structured surveys from policy practitioners, the analysis demonstrates that network building and capacity development are significantly more influential in ensuring sustained policy adoption than mere information dissemination. Furthermore, the findings highlight the moderating effects of organizational readiness and institutional resource availability on the efficacy of knowledge brokering activities. By disaggregating the knowledge broker role and empirically testing its components over time, this paper contributes a nuanced understanding of evidence-to-policy pathways. The evidence presented herein provides actionable insights for public health institutions aiming to optimize resource allocation toward effective knowledge translation strategies and structural capacity building.