Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships

The 'Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships' (2011) provides a comprehensive framework for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to create and manage institutional relationships focused on knowledge generation and sharing. It defines types of knowledge (explicit, tacit, implicit), establishes performance criteria based on OECD/DAC standards, and offers specific strategies for managing high-level strategic alliances versus grassroots community partnerships. The guide emphasizes the importance of 'knowledge mobilization' and provides tools for risk mitigation and the professional winding up of partnerships.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) defines knowledge partnerships as associations or networks of individuals and organizations that share a common goal and contribute knowledge, experience, resources, and connections through two-way communication. These partnerships are most successful when there is a strategic, structural, and cultural fit, and when members engage in joint decision-making and action.
• ADB distinguishes between three types of knowledge: explicit knowledge, which can be codified or recorded; tacit knowledge, which is an understanding of 'how to do things' developed through experience and trial and error; and implicit knowledge, which consists of the inherent values and cultural considerations influencing knowledge holders.
• To evaluate the performance of knowledge partnerships, the guide adopts the OECD's DAC Criteria for Evaluating Development Assistance, which focuses on five dimensions: Relevance (suitability to priorities), Effectiveness (achievement of objectives), Efficiency (cost and time optimization), Sustainability (continuation of benefits), and Impact (intended or unintended changes produced).
• The guide identifies several critical success factors for managing knowledge partnerships, including the management of focus, leadership and coordination, partners, short- and long-term benefits, risks, and communications.
• High-level strategic partnerships with other multilateral institutions (such as the World Bank or UNICEF) differ from other networks because they do not aim to create a new collective identity; instead, institutional identities remain distinct. These alliances require strong senior-level commitment, relationship managers from each party, and governing MOUs that document knowledge processes and performance indicators.
• Partnerships with grassroots and community-based organizations require specific attention to power imbalances and varying capacities. The guide suggests building trust through small joint activities ('learning by doing') and using bridging organizations to provide neutral arenas for collaboration and conflict resolution.
• The guide outlines a typology of communications approaches for 'knowledge mobilization' (disseminating knowledge outside the partnership), categorized into: group processes ('many to many'), dissemination ('one to many'), restricted/secure communications ('one to one' or 'a few to a few'), and education and training.
• Risk management in knowledge partnerships involves mitigating specific threats, such as financial shortfalls (via in-kind support), reputational risk (via regular monitoring), high transaction costs (by reframing them as necessary for effectiveness), and the loss of key 'animators' or experts (via corporate-level endorsement and grooming informal connections).
• The guide warns against winding up partnerships too early, noting that knowledge generation and sharing typically require a time scale longer than 2–3 years to build trust and clarify purpose. When closing a partnership, it recommends capturing the partnership's story, celebrating achievements, and potentially using an external broker.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2011). Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/guidelines-knowledge-partnerships.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships. 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/guidelines-knowledge-partnerships.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships |date=2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/guidelines-knowledge-partnerships.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2011guidelines, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Guidelines for Knowledge Partnerships}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/guidelines-knowledge-partnerships.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }