Assessing knowledge sharing practices among health professionals to improve organizational performance”: The case of Assosa hospital, Ethiopia"

Abstract

Knowledge is considered as a prime asset of the organization. Since knowledge is central resources for different organizations especially knowledge intensive organizations like, education institution, health sector, needs to manage the knowledge in a proper way in order to gain competitive advantages and for provide quality service. Nevertheless, the practices and implementation of Knowledge sharing is still in its infancy in public organizations. Various types of medical errors have occurred in resource-limited countries because of poor knowledge and experience sharing practices among health professionals. The main objective of this study is to investigate knowledge sharing practices among health professional to improve organizational performances in Assosa Hospital, Benishangul Gumuze regional state, Ethiopia. The used methodology was cross-sectional research design survey, qualitative and quantitative method (mixed). Semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and observation were used as data collecting tools to get responses. One hundred six (106) questionnaires were distributed in Assosa Hospital, health services sector. Ninety one (91) usable responses were received which is 86% response rate. To analyze data, descriptive and inferential (regression) statistics were used with (SPSS software (version, 20)). As the results of this study shown most of the respondents approved the need of knowledge and experience sharing practices in their routine activities. Nearly 32% of the study participants had knowledge and experience sharing practices and majority 56% of the respondents showed willingness to share their knowledge and experiences. Trust among staff members, open communication among employees, awareness, motivational scheme, supportive leadership, and resource allocation were the most influential factors of knowledge and experience sharing practices in study area. It can be concluded that most of the respondents have little bit knowledge of the importance of knowledge and experience sharing practices and only a limited number of respondents practiced it and finally researcher recommended that improving management support, proper resource allocation, motivating staffs, and planning KSP in organization as part of work process are important interventions to improve knowledge sharing and organizational performances in the study area. The study was conducted in a single public sector organization, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other settings, therefore, to addressing a more representative sample; further research must address across more governmental