An integrative model towards knowledge sharing practices in healthcare organizations

This study set out to test an integrative model towards knowledge sharing (KS) practices in health institutions, which have recently been referred to as knowledge-intensive organizations. The model assesses the relative contributions of various organizational and relational factors in explaining knowledge sharing intention (KSI), as well as the moderating effects of both socio-cognitive factors and the nature of knowledge to be shared on the relationship between KSI and knowledge sharing behavior (KSB). The data utilized in the research were obtained from a health institution (Adana City Training & Research Hospital) designed as a public-private partnership through the survey questionnaires. Findings suggest that highly formalized and hierarchical organizational structures negatively affect KSI, whereas constructive communication climate and organizational integration enhance it. The relationship between facilitating tools & technologies, which is the last of the organizational factors examined, and KSI was non-significant. Two out of the three relational factors, trust & affiliation, positively predicted KSI, but no statistically significant relationship was found between normative beliefs and KSI. The most striking finding that emerged is the gap identified between intention and behavior towards knowledge sharing. Thus, it has been identified that the perceived reciprocity eases the translation of the intention towards KS into actual sharing behavior, whereas the perceived power loss weakens the mentioned relationship. The tacitness or complexity of the knowledge to be shared, on the other hand, did not have any moderation effect on the relationship referred. Keywords: Knowledge management, knowledge sharing, managing knowledge in healthcare, knowledge sharing in healthcare, intention-behavior gap, CoPs