Knowledge creation and flow in agriculture: The experience and role of the Japanese extension advisors

Abstract

Purpose

The motivation for this paper emanates from the continuous success and sustainability of the Japanese agriculture, most remarkably in its technical sense. The agricultural extension services have traditionally been regarded as a bridge between research laboratories and farmers, hence, the purpose of this paper is to explore the preferences and roles played by extension advisors in relation to knowledge creation and sharing among the advisors, farmers, and other stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected through interviews with 11 principal and senior extension advisors and a consultant from different prefectures and organizations as well as questionnaires from 135 extension advisors in the Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

Findings

Results show that the Japanese agricultural agencies are actively involved in facilitating an integrated knowledge creation and sharing initiatives within their organizations. On the other hand, the extension advisors, as intermediaries and catalysts, are the key links between farmers and the relevant agencies in terms of providing personalized and need‐based information for decision making by all parties concerned.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may be conducted by other agro‐based economies and organizations with regards to creating, sharing, and streamlining knowledge towards achieving organizational objectives.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper have provided some insights on how knowledge is created and shared within a strategic sector of the economy and this could serve as an initial framework for leaders to create opportunities and space for such activities to be effectively carried out in their organizations.

Citation

Zakaria, S. and Nagata, H. (2010), "Knowledge creation and flow in agriculture: The experience and role of the Japanese extension advisors", Library Management, Vol. 31 No. 1/2, pp. 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121011013377