Identifying and Managing the Enablers of Knowledge Sharing

Abstract

Knowledge sharing in public services has not yet received much attention in the research literature. This chapter investigates knowledge sharing in one public service context, the UK National Health Service (NHS), and identifies factors that influence the readiness of an organization to share knowledge effectively. Using participant observation, document analysis, interviews, and a survey of managers, data are presented to highlight enablers of effective knowledge sharing in health care service delivery. Through factor analysis and regression modeling, we have isolated six factors that are significant predictors of effective knowledge sharing. Our research is broadly consistent with previous findings that an innovative culture, a capacity to learn from failure, and good information quality are strong predictors of successful knowledge sharing. However, we also identify factors associated with change management and a predisposition to confront performance indicators that significantly influence the knowledge sharing process. We suggest that the peculiar nature of the public sector environment poses unique challenges for health care managers who seek to develop a knowledge sharing capability.