What is a “linking agent” and what is the primary advantage of linking agents in the research utilization process?

What will be an ideal response?

Ans: These individuals serve as a “bridge” or “liaison” between resource systems and user systems. They may be constituents of a “linking system” (Davis et al., 2007) and can be representatives of the user system, resource system, or objective third parties interested in research utilization (Dijkstra, de Vries, & Parcel, 1993). Linking agents’ primary advantage is that they have sufficient knowledge about the research-based innovation as well as knowledge about the culture of the adopting social system, including the local language.