Critical comments on the gatekeeper concept in science and technology

R and D Management - Tập 11 Số 1 - Trang 37-40 - 1981
Olle Persson1
1University of Umea, Sweden

Tóm tắt

The concept of the gatekeeper as a means of improving information dissemination in science and technology has been given much attention. The criticism of the two‐step flow model has been extensive in mass‐media research. In principle, this criticism should also apply to studies of gatekeepers in R & D organizations. The two‐step flow model does not tell us with whom the gatekeeper is communicating, what is being discussed, and what effect the gatekeepers have on the internal information dissemination. Using an empirical study of an R & D organization, the thesis is presented that gatekeepers can contribute to an eliteist pattern of distribution rather than to a reduction of the information gap. Finally, it is argued that studies of internal communication in R & D organizations should deal with communication relationships rather than with individuals as units of analysis.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Allen Thomas J., 1977, Managing the Flow of Technology

10.17730/humo.17.4.q5604m676260q8n7

Coleman James S., 1966, Medical Innovation

10.1109/TPC.1974.6591308

Lazarsfeld Paul F., 1944, The People's Choice

Rogers Everett M., 1973, Handbook of Communication, 290

Scott William G., 1973, Organizational Systems, 99

Taylor Robert L.(1972) ‘An analysis of the two‐step flow process of scientific and technical communication in a military research and development laboratory’. Doctoral dissertation Indiana University Graduate School of Business.

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R and D Management

Tập 11 Số 1

37-40

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