Identification of indicators for measuring knowledge management in the hospital (A qualitative study at the 523 Army Hospital)

Background: The importance of knowledge is greater than traditional sources such as labor, land, and financial capital. The availability of unique knowledge and leverage of effective knowledge will lead to competitive advantages. As a result, this study aims to achieving a strategic knowledge management model at the 523 Army hospital. Methods: The present study was a part of a grounded theory study. Continuous comparative analysis was performed concurrently with data collection using MAXQDA version 2016, and targeted sampling was selected from experienced and maximal variables in the field. Results: The research participants included 17 people with a history of work in various hospital departments. The structure of knowledge management is also categorized in terms of: the phenomenon studied and the resulting outcomes, which, according to the paradigmatic model, identified the structure of knowledge management. Conclusion: The results of the research showed that knowledge management is the management of the process of knowledge leakage, knowledge arrangement and the birth of knowledge, which -during this process- results from the dissemination and application of knowledge. This structural definition of knowledge management emerged from the context and conditions in the health care system of the 523 Army hospital. Keywords: Knowledge Management, knowledge leakage, knowledge arrangement, knowledge birth, knowledge application, knowledge dissemination