| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the present paper is to explore the process of knowledge integration and co-creation within an elite sport context characterized by uncertainty and ambiguity. The study was designed and carried out as a qualitative case study. Data were generated through documents and interviews with key actors within three ski-preparation teams (cross-country skiing, biathlon, Nordic combined) and the ski-preparation project led by the responsible organization for elite sports in Norway, Olympiatoppen. The study identifies three major types of knowledge co-creation. The first concern bridging scientific and experience-based knowledge, where scientists have a more optimistic view on cumulative knowledge development. The second highlight the role of shared testing procedures to compare and evaluate prototypes generated though scientific and practical knowledge. The third illustrate that the extent to which knowledge are used in the different teams depends on their strategies and is reflected in the gatekeeper role. A key finding is that close and trustful relationships are vital in order to allow for new ideas about how to improve. In highly competitive environments such as elite sport, where small variation in judgements matter, knowledge creation as co creation has a fundament social dimension, where success depends on trustful interaction and shared values. However, the paradox is that although all ski-waxers have a strong commitment to continuous development and improvement, they demonstrate a strong need to control this process within the different teams. The control influence the degree to which close and trustful relationships are developed and hence the possibility for knowledge co-creation. | nb_NO |
