Title: Measuring knowledge sharing in inter-organisational networks: evidence from the healthcare sector

Authors: Mário Franco; Heiko Haase; Marisa Barbeira

Addresses: University of Beira Interior, Department of Management and Economics, CEFAGE-UBI Research Centre, Estrada do Sineiro – 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' University of Applied Sciences Jena, Department of Business Administration, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany ' Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Health School Dr. Lopes Dias, Department of Clinic Analysis and Public Health, Avenida do Empresário – Campus da Talagueira, 6000-767 Castelo Branco, Portugal

Abstract: This paper aims at developing and evaluating an instrument for measuring knowledge sharing at the individual level in inter-organisational networks. To achieve this objective, we proceed as follows: (1) identification or generation of individual items, (2) developing a psychometric instrument and (3) empirical validation. For the latter, a questionnaire was applied to 202 professionals from different healthcare organisations in Portugal. The results reveal a high validity of a two-factor structure (Knowledge Acquisition and Knowledge Transfer). Hence, the psychometric instrument for measuring knowledge sharing we propose has potential for future research and application in networks as knowledge transfer mechanisms. Our study contributes to advancing theory at the interface of knowledge management and networks.

Keywords: inter-organisational networks; knowledge management; healthcare organisations; measuring instruments; knowledge sharing; psychometrics; Portugal; knowledge acquisition; knowledge transfer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2015.071757

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2015 Vol.6 No.2, pp.101 - 122

Accepted: 08 Jun 2015
Published online: 17 Sep 2015 *

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