Table 2.

Key concepts from soft knowledge systems theory

Concept	Definition
Innovation	“‘Change-on-purpose’, propelled by individual and collective intentions” (Engel 1997, p. 11). Encompasses both the decision to make a change in practice and    implementation
Knowledge	“Knowledge is taken very broadly to mean the concepts, ideas, insights and routines    (including mental routines) people use to impute meaning to events and ideas”    (Engel 1997, p. 32). A property of individuals, it cannot be observed or    communicated directly, instead it is embodied in individual and social actions
Information	“A pattern imposed on a carrier such as sound, radio waves, paper, diskettes, electronic    cables and so forth” (Engel 1997, p. 32). Information is explicit and can contribute to    the development of knowledge
Knowledge   network	“The more or less formalized, relatively stable pattern of communication and    interaction among social actors who share a common concern [such as improving    clinical practice] … Such patterns emerge as a result of relation-building efforts    among actors” (Engel 1997, p. 37). These networks may be found within    organizations or extend across organizations and institutions; they “may be    spontaneous and totally informal, or designed to serve a specific purpose” (Engel 1997, p. 37). Knowledge networks can be described only in relation to some purpose.    Innovation is the desired outcome of a knowledge network, but in practice they are    defined in relation to more specific goals
Actor	Individuals or collectivities involved directly or indirectly in an innovation. May be    either internal or external to the innovating group or organization
Communication   linkage	The formal or informal channels or networks through which information flows.    Communication is “the production, exchange and processing of information    (including symbolic information) between two or more social actors” (Engel 1997,    p. 33)
Knowledge   processes	A concept used to anticipate and identify the activities and division of labor among    actors within a knowledge network. We employed Röling and Engel’s (1991)    approach of looking at the generation, acquisition, integration, distribution    and utilization of knowledge and information