Putting science into practice: the diffusion of scientific knowledge exemplified by the Austrian ‘Research Initiative Against Forest Decline’

The paper deals with the question of how scientific knowledge is put into practicable action (or rather how it is not put into action) and explains what role communicative processes play in passing on scientific know-how. In the theoretical part, some selected communication models are introduced. Accordingly, scientific findings do not enter practical fields via clearly defined ‘transport routes’ of information. Knowledge tends to be disseminated via network structures of communication. The acceptance and diffusion of knowledge generated by the Austrian ‘Research Initiative Against Forest Decline’ is employed to test the hypotheses derived. Data were collected with a standardised, self-administered questionnaire (249 interviews with managers of forest enterprises and persons working in forest extension services in Austria). The empirical survey shows that the traditional channels of transfer (i.e. scientists and extension services) play only a minor direct role in passing on scientific know-how and putting it into practice. Furthermore, we can see that professional and institutionalised channels are supplemented by informal contacts.