An Evaluation of Effective Factors on Implementation of Knowledge Management: Viewpoints of Supervisors and Managers in Private Hospitals, Isfahan, Iran

Knowledge management is an organizational activity in which all individuals at different levels need to be involved. This research tried to evaluate the effective parameters (organizational strategies, information technology, human resources management, and cross-organizational communication) on implementing knowledge management in private hospitals in the province of Isfahan, Iran. This descriptive, applied field survey included all managers and supervisors of three private hospitals, Sadi, Sina and Baharestan Hospitals, (142 people) in 2010. Based on Kerjcie and Morgan table, 104 were required for the study who were selected using stratified sampling. Data was collected by a researcher-made 35-item questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed through content and face validity and a Cronbach's alpha of 95%, respectively. Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics including independent-t, one sample-t, Tukeys, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and hotelling's T2 tests were used to analyze data in SPSS. Among the factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management, only organizational strategies had effects higher than average. The effects of other factors on the system were below average. Organizational strategies affected the implementation of knowledge management in private hospitals of Isfahan more than the other three studied components. They can thus be helpful in implementing knowledge management.