Title: Improving knowledge sharing in healthcare through social network analysis

Authors: Elizabeth A. Cudney; Steven M. Corns; Suzanna K. Long

Addresses: Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 600 W. 14th Street, Rolla, MO 65409, USA ' Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 600 W. 14th Street, Rolla, MO 65409, USA ' Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 600 W. 14th Street, Rolla, MO 65409, USA

Abstract: Knowledge management systems (KMS) are critical to capture, retain, and communicate project results and knowledge of staff, prevent knowledge drain, and provide lessons learned type training. This research focuses on the development of a knowledge management system using social network analysis (SNA) to improve methods to organise and share knowledge for a large government healthcare organisation. A survey was employed to interview key players using the narrative interview protocol through focus groups formed from early adopters of process improvement methods to understand how stakeholders viewed and implemented changes to their work environment. Using these results, a Likert-style questionnaire was provided to all users. Social network mapping and analysis was performed relevant to basic network properties, characteristics of relations, and other relevant network features. The goal of this research is to identify key players, document how information is shared, recommend methods to sharing and retain knowledge, and measure the impact of the improvements.

Keywords: healthcare management; KMS; knowledge management systems; SNA; social network analysis; knowledge sharing; process improvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCENT.2014.065044

International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2014 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.17 - 33

Accepted: 05 Apr 2014
Published online: 09 Oct 2014 *

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