Abstract
Knowledge is the most important strategic resource and critical to organizational success. However, practice of knowledge sharing among workers in the health institution is poorly practiced. An institutional based cross- sectional quantitative study supported with qualitative data was conducted from February 30 to March 30/2016 among 291 health care workers for the quantitative data and 10 department heads were interviewed for the qualitative part. Logistic regression was used to assess the presence of association between dependent and independent variables using SPSS at 95% CI and 5% margin of error. The study revealed that level of knowledge sharing among health care workers in the selected hospitals was 66.6%. Knowledge sharing opportunity (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = [1.17-6.01], access to technology (AOR=2.27, 95% CI=[1.17-4.40], familiarizing health care workers to technology (AOR=3.23, 95%CI=[1.28-8.12] and trusty relationship (AOR=4.78, 95% CI = [1.73-13.22] were independent predictors for knowledge sharing practice. Even though most of the participants were aware, willing and have an intrinsic motivation to share their knowledge, they practiced it poorly for several reasons. The identified main determinants are access to ICT infrastructure, familiarization to available technologies, trust between staff and knowledge sharing opportunity. Hospitals should enhance trusting relationship among health care workers; create knowledge sharing opportunity; avail technological infrastructure and familiarize health care workers to technology to increase knowledge sharing in the organization.
Highlights
Knowledge sharing is defined as a deliberate act that makes knowledge reusable by other people through knowledge exchange [1]
The study was institutional based cross sectional quantitative study design supported with qualitative data that was conducted from February 30, 20/2016 – March, 30/2016 in North Shoa zone public hospitals, North Shoa, Amhara Regional state
Findings of this study is higher than similar studies conducted in Addis Ababa health bureau at selected public hospitals (49.0%) [14], Mekele at selected public hospitals (49.18%) [13], Hawasa at selected public hospitals (53.95) [7] and in Bahir Dar at Felege hiwot referral hospital (17.7%) [6]
Summary
Knowledge sharing is defined as a deliberate act that makes knowledge reusable by other people through knowledge exchange [1]. It has been identified as the key component of knowledge management and performance improvement system. Effective knowledge-sharing practices have the potential to give an organization a sustainable competitive advantage [2]. Study conducted in China among referral health care services indicated that 61% of hospital doctors rated patient-centered KS as very poor practice [4]. Another study done in Jordan hospitals revealed that knowledge sharing practice among health care workers was 73% [5]
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