Mediating Effect of Tacit Knowledge Sharing among Nurses : Case of a Malaysian Teaching Hospital

The complications of Covid-19 have intensely increased the importance of nurses’ tacit knowledge sharing worldwide when protocols and rules are being developed at a rapid paced and uncertainty is a constant concern. The unexpected critical care workforce demands more nurses to exploit their previous experience and knowledge to be learned, unlearned, and relearn. As such, nurse supervisors may provide continuous support on the urgency of an event due to the varying procedures and providing patient care. One way to examine the nurses’ relationship is via Social Exchange Theory (SET) lens which two or more individuals mutually benefit social exchange of support in decision. In turn, such an environment will be likely to encourage tacit knowledge sharing and contribute to innovative behavior among the nurses. Despite the emergence of tacit knowledge sharing as an important predictor of innovative behaviour, research that goes linking tacit knowledge sharing as a mediator is astoundingly less explored. Using social exchange theory as the underpinning theory, seven hypotheses were tested. The research method included both self-report and supervisor-report. Both 360 nursing employees and 21 nurse supervisors in a teaching hospital were selected using disproportionate stratified sampling, which yields 94.17 per cent response rate. Data were obtained through survey and analyses were performed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) confirmed using Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results showed that three hypotheses were significant, and two hypotheses were insignificant for direct effect. Tacit knowledge sharing played a mediating effect in supervisory justice in their relationship with innovative behaviour. Interestingly, no mediating effect of tacit knowledge sharing on perceived supervisor support. The findings conclude that workplace exchange relationship is crucial between nurse and supervisor. This study provides a conceptual basis for effective tacit knowledge sharing in a teaching hospital. From the practical aspect, this study underlines the importance of nurses to share tacit knowledge in order for them to be innovative