Examining individual, job and perceived organizational climate factors in relation to the knowledge sharing behavior

This study examined the direct relationship between individual capabilities, career advancement, personal values, job characteristics, perceived organizational climate and knowledge- sharing behavior. The study also investigated the moderating effect of subjective norms on the relationship between individual capabilities, career advancement, personal values, job characteristics, perceived organizational climate and knowledge- sharing behavior. A total of 650 questionnaires were personally distributed to respondents from five Tanzanian public hospitals (Muhimbili National Hospital, Ligula Referral Hospital, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Sekou Toure Reginal Hospital Mwanza and Mbeya Referral Hospital) after permission was granted by the hospital management. Out of the 650 questionnaires distributed, 476 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 73%. However, only 439 questionnaires were usable for final analysis. The hypotheses for direct and moderating effects were tested using Smart PLS. The findings of the PLS path model indicated that individual capabilities, career advancement, personal values, and perceived organizational climate are significantly and positively related to knowledge- sharing behavior. Regarding the subjective norms as a moderator in the relationship between exogenous latent variables and the endogenous latent variable, subjective norms were found to moderate the relationship between individual capabilities, job characteristics, perceived organizational climate and knowledge- sharing behavior. The research results reported in this study suggest the need to enhance individual capabilities, career advancement, personal values, and perceived organizational climate as a way of encouraging knowledge- sharing behavior among the healthcare professionals. Apart from that, the hospital management also needs to consider the role of subjective norms when planning to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge- sharing behavior, especially when involving individual capabilities, job characteristics and perceived organizational climate

Realising evidence based practice: a systemic investigation of core knowledge processes in mental health

Aims To investigate the systemic circumstances required for mental health professionals to engage in the core processes of evidence based practice. Background Successful evidence based practice is the function of inter-related processes including knowledge acquisition, generation, and application, which occur in complex and dynamic circumstances. Dominant models and approaches to facilitating the use of knowledge in practice by health professionals remain based on linear, technical processes which aim to instigate behavioural changes at the individual level. Emergent conceptualisations argue the need for strategies that consider systemic factors which can impede or facilitate the processes underpinning the operation of evidence based practices in mental health. As yet no efforts have been made to actively apply systems thinking in efforts to improve evidence based practice in mental health. Method A collective case-study research design was developed by adapting Soft Systems Methodology. Three cases were examined, each selected due to their ability to provide information about one of the core processes under investigation; knowledge acquisition, knowledge generation and knowledge application. Data was collected iteratively from thirteen participants through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Analysis was undertaken through the inductive open coding of data into sub-categories, following which key categories were identified and considered against individual, group and organisational systems levels. Findings This study identified twenty-four key categories across the cases and located these against the three systems levels. As anticipated, complex dynamic interactions between different elements at the different levels were identified including, the role of motivation, perception and skill at the individual level, the importance of team wisdom, support and decision making, and the need for organisations to provide adequate infrastructures, ensure access to specialist expertise and a number of elements contributing to a culture of space and support for evidence based practice.awd_pdtunpub1284_ethesesunpu

Compreensão do compartilhamento do conhecimento em atividades intensivas em conhecimento em organizações de diagnóstico por imagem

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento, Florianópolis, 2017.O compartilhamento do conhecimento é considerado um fenômeno complexo e reconhecido como o processo mais importante na espiral de conversão do conhecimento. Assim, o objetivo desta tese é compreender o compartilhamento do conhecimento em atividades intensivas em conhecimento em organizações de diagnóstico por imagem. Para tanto, realizaram-se três estudos em organizações de radiodiagnóstico com 43 radiologistas (22 novatos e 21 especialistas). As formas de investigação foram: observações, entrevistas e confirmações dos resultados. Identificados os melhores ambientes e práticas, foi possível entender as particularidades existentes nos motivadores, inibidores e aceleradores. Os resultados revelam que uma cultura de cooperação e união favorece as interações entre os profissionais que, por sua vez, desenvolvem a perícia de modo mais rápido exatamente por compartilharem de maneira intensa os conhecimentos.Abstract : The sharing of knowledge is considered a complex phenomenon and recognized as the most important process in the knowledge conversion spiral. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to understand the sharing of knowledge in knowledge intensive activities in diagnostic imaging organizations. For that, three studies were carried out in radiodiagnostic organizations with 43 radiologists (22 newcomers and 21 specialists). The forms of investigation were: observations, interviews and confirmations of the results. Identifying the best environments and practices, it was possible to understand the particularities of motivators, inhibitors and accelerators. The results show that a culture of cooperation and unity favors interactions between professionals who, in turn, develop expertise faster by sharing knowledge intensively