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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. 分析国际组织中技术官僚和外交官之间的分歧(Analysing the divide between
technocrats and diplomats in international organizations)
Jamie Pring,联合国大学比较区域一体化研究所研究员及巴塞尔大学讲师
【摘要】国际关系学者对技术知识如何提高国际组织的表现进行了研究,发现它可能导致对其更广泛
目标的破坏。现有研究尚未具体说明技术熟练度将在何时如何导致这种情况,对这些相冲突的观察结
果进行调和。为了解决这一问题,本文探讨了组织内实践社群 (CoP) 之间的联系,将技术知识与其他
形式的知识、参与者和工具联系起来。这对于应对更大环境中的实践、提高组织表现来说至关重要。
为说明这一点,本文探讨了两个 CoP(即技术 CoP 和外交 CoP)在制定和部署非洲调解支持结构中
的作用。该研究对官方文件、报告、学术著作以及对官员、合作伙伴和分析者的半结构化专家访谈进
行了定性分析,研究发现,相关 CoP 之间的脱节会导致对特定的知识和工具,尤其是技术知识的过
度关注,而牺牲了其他对于解决 IO 运营环境至关重要的问题,从而导致功能障碍。CoP 之间的联系
促进了对环境的整体响应,使组织能够根据其职责运作。
【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.