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Linking this key characteristic to other elements of the Social Movement Action Framework:
Each of the elements of the Social Movement Action (SMA) Framework is dynamic and interrelated. For example, collective action addresses an urgent need for action and receptivity to change. It applies the strategy of framing to position the issue and the urgent need for change through collective action. Change agents and other supporters take action in part through the engagement of hearts and minds that reflect their intrinsic motivation. As a result of the experiences of collective action, change agents feel a sense of belonging and community which furthers their sense of collective identity. Change agents and change teams demonstrate their emerging leadership through collective action. These individuals and groups may be connected with others through networks and may have core leadership structures to support their collective efforts as the social movement evolves. By mobilizing and using the energy as fuel for collective action, momentum is created.
Linking this key characteristic to the action cycle phases of the Knowledge-to-Action Framework:
You and your change team’s capacity in social movement actions may be enhanced and/or accelerated by the addition of some of the action cycle phases of the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework, as the two frameworks are complementary. In addition to the linking example described earlier in this section, there can be many other points of connection between the two frameworks. Below are three more examples for your consideration:
- Adapt knowledge to local context: Funding, time and human resources are needed to drive and nourish individual and collective action. The KTA Framework’s phase of assessing the number of resources that can be dedicated to the social movement can help you and your change team understand whether goals and aspirations can be realistically achieved given the availability of resources. Assessing which resources the change agents can access in their settings can help you maximize existing resources, and potentially obtain more resources.
- Select, tailor and implement interventions: Individual and collective action exist to mobilize and achieve shared goals. Incorporating the select, tailor and implement intervention phase of the KTA action cycle can facilitate the coordinated steps change agents take throughout the social movement.
- Monitor knowledge use: It will be important to monitor how change agents are using the knowledge and information in their individual and/or collective action. For instance, how are change agents (individually and/or collectively) using the knowledge they have about the change when they share information in social media, promote awareness through local seminars, and meet with stakeholders?
For more discussion about the dynamic links between the elements of the SMA Framework and the KTA Framework, see the section ‘Accelerate your success with the Leading Change Toolkit™’.
