Knowledge management in health care: an integrative and result-driven clinical staff management model
Journal of Knowledge Management
ISSN: 1367-3270
Article publication date: 22 October 2020
Issue publication date: 21 June 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose an integrative and result-driven health-care knowledge management (HKM) model and discuss the findings of a research that examines how the KM initiatives of a major private Brazilian hospital system are linked to its health-care performance outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a top-level Brazilian private hospital system (Mater Dei Healthcare System – MDHS), which is composed of three large hospitals internationally accredited by ISO 9001/2000, NIAHO and JCI. Multiple qualitative approaches were used to collect data such as 16 in-depth interviews with health professionals and managers, document analysis, participatory observation and benchmarking interviews with two reference hospital networks in Brazil.
Findings
The proposed health-oriented KM model is an expansion of the organizational knowing cycle model (Choo, 1996), adding absorptive capacity (ACAP) as a new construct. The paper discusses how ACAP integrates with sense-making, knowledge creation and decision-making processes within the health-care context. Information technology and clinical governance were identified as support factors to the HKM processes.
Practical implications
The paper presents a pragmatic and result-driven knowledge management (KM) model using health-care-welfare key performance indicators, as well as the emergence of KM as an integrative and strategic approach to hospital management.
Originality/value
The present study presents a knowledge-based perspective to clinical staff management, demonstrating the tangible results of KM initiatives that contribute to health and management performance outcomes.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Erratum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Souza, V.P.d.P.d., Baroni, R., Choo, C.W., Castro, J.M.d. and Barbosa, R.R. (2020), “Knowledge management in health care: an integrative and result-driven clinical staff management model”, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-05-2020-0392 includes incorrect author names for Vinícius Pereira de Souza. This error was introduced in the editorial process and has now been corrected in the online version. The publisher sincerely apologises for this error and for any inconvenience caused.
Citation
Pereira de Souza, V., Baroni, R., Choo, C.W., Castro, J.M.d. and Barbosa, R.R. (2021), "Knowledge management in health care: an integrative and result-driven clinical staff management model", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 25 No. 5, pp. 1241-1262. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-05-2020-0392
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited