Exploring the communication and exchange analysis of knowledge flows within the healthcare public services: through a socio-cognitive lens

Abstract

Knowledge Transfer (KT) has become a strong focus of interest, attracting the attention of academia, government, industry and other organisations. Much of the literature on KT assumes a straightforward relationship between human activity and the transfer of knowledge insights used to steer operations. On the other hand, researchers attempt to understand KT’s role within organisations, the contributions to strategy and decision making, the value of KT and the organisational consequences. A significant challenge is knowing how to analyse, understand and target KT through appropriate methods. This study explores KT factors to reduce and manage Knowledge Loss (KL) in a Public Services Healthcare organisation through a social learning lens, underpinned by an interpretative construct to build theory inductively in an under-researched area.

The study explores how KT is understood, conceptualised and managed by analysis and modelling of knowledge exchange and flows of knowledge. An exploratory qualitative approach elicited the views and experiences of allied healthcare professional participants at different levels within two National Health Service hospitals. Multiple data collection methods were used, including forty-one semi-structured, in-depth interviews, three focus groups, research observations and document analysis.

The findings identified six themes: power relationships of connections, social support, engagement, cooperative behaviour, communication and clustering. This study provides anew insight into social learning where the six themes need to be considered to understand and guide our thinking on managing and improving KT effectiveness. It reflects the social sense that KT is a multifaceted concept differentiated at multiple levels, dimensions, and stages. Moreover, a framework of KT is presented, thus aiding theoretical development, practical application and helping to highlight the value of understanding and analysing the flows of KT. In addition, recommendations are extended together with an agenda informing future research.

Date of Award	Apr 2022
Original language	English
Supervisor	Ronan McIvor (Supervisor) & Sandra Moffett (Supervisor)