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policy research arena resembles an oligopsony, which is an imperfect competitive market with a small number
of important buyers and a large number of sellers. Consequently, transaction power lies with the policymakers,
and the policy research arena is geared to meeting their preferences. They have a utilitarian preference for
problem-solving research that enhances the effectiveness of mediation. They have a methodological preference
for comparative case-studies that include interviews with mediators, and do not regard quantitative analysis as
useful. In terms of transmission processes, they favour commissioned research tailored to meet their needs.
They expect commissioned research to conform to their norms, serve a specified purpose, reflect a deep
understanding of mediation, and make proposals that are functionally sound, politically appropriate and
financially viable. The bottom line for mediation researchers is that they are most likely to influence policy
and practice if they meet the knowledge requirements of the intended recipients of their research.
9. 分析國際組織中技術(shù)官僚和外交官之間的分歧(Analysing the divide between
technocrats and diplomats in international organizations)
Jamie Pring,聯(lián)合國大學(xué)比較區(qū)域一體化研究所研究員及巴塞爾大學(xué)講師
【摘要】國際關(guān)系學(xué)者對技術(shù)知識如何提高國際組織的表現(xiàn)進(jìn)行了研究,發(fā)現(xiàn)它可能導(dǎo)致對其更廣泛
目標(biāo)的破壞?,F(xiàn)有研究尚未具體說明技術(shù)熟練度將在何時(shí)如何導(dǎo)致這種情況,對這些相沖突的觀察結(jié)
果進(jìn)行調(diào)和。為了解決這一問題,本文探討了組織內(nèi)實(shí)踐社群 (CoP) 之間的聯(lián)系,將技術(shù)知識與其他
形式的知識、參與者和工具聯(lián)系起來。這對于應(yīng)對更大環(huán)境中的實(shí)踐、提高組織表現(xiàn)來說至關(guān)重要。
為說明這一點(diǎn),本文探討了兩個(gè) CoP(即技術(shù) CoP 和外交 CoP)在制定和部署非洲調(diào)解支持結(jié)構(gòu)中
的作用。該研究對官方文件、報(bào)告、學(xué)術(shù)著作以及對官員、合作伙伴和分析者的半結(jié)構(gòu)化專家訪談進(jìn)
行了定性分析,研究發(fā)現(xiàn),相關(guān) CoP 之間的脫節(jié)會(huì)導(dǎo)致對特定的知識和工具,尤其是技術(shù)知識的過
度關(guān)注,而犧牲了其他對于解決 IO 運(yùn)營環(huán)境至關(guān)重要的問題,從而導(dǎo)致功能障礙。CoP 之間的聯(lián)系
促進(jìn)了對環(huán)境的整體響應(yīng),使組織能夠根據(jù)其職責(zé)運(yùn)作。
【原文】International Relations scholarship has examined how technical knowledge boosts the performance
of international organizations, but has found that it could also lead to behaviour undermining their broader
goals. Research has not reconciled these contrasting observations by specifying when and how technical
proficiency leads to such dysfunction. Addressing these gaps, this article examines the connections among
Communities of Practice (CoPs) within the organization in linking technical knowledge with other forms of
knowledge, actors and tools crucial to address the larger environment, enhancing performance. To illustrate
this, the article examines the role of two CoPs, namely, the technical CoP and the diplomatic CoP, in
developing and deploying African Mediation Support Structures. The research uses qualitative analysis of
official documents, reports, scholarly works and semi-structured expert interviews of officials, partners and
analysts. It finds that disconnections among relevant CoPs foster an excessive focus on specific sets of
knowledge and tools, particularly technical knowledge, at the expense of engaging others also crucial in
addressing the IOs' operating environment, leading to dysfunction. Connections among CoPs promote a
holistic response to the environment, enabling the organization to function according to its mandate.