D.B.A.  Baker College (Michigan), 2017.
Specialization:  Health care management; Management

Impact of tacit knowledge deficits in acute care hospital settings
178 pages. UMI #: 10277055
Citation, Abstract & Full text in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database

Loss of tacit knowledge when seasoned employees leave their positions is a growing problem for businesses because of the underuse of formal methods for capturing and transferring tacit knowledge from senior leaders to new leaders. Failing to capture tacit knowledge results in vulnerabilities that can result in the competitive edge outside organizations gain when employees change companies. This problem is compounded in acute care hospital settings, given the impending health care workforce shortage and increasing demand for health care services by an aging population and financial pressures. This phenomenological study addressed this problem by demonstrating a case for identifying tacit knowledge deficits and formally assisting in the transfer of tacit knowledge to new leaders in acute care hospital settings. Purposeful sampling was used to arrive at the sample size of 20 health information management directors. Questions addressed included the tacit knowledge deficits stemming from previous transfer deficits, the processes and resources that facilitated transfer of tacit knowledge, and the impact of tacit knowledge deficits on acute care hospital operations. Tacit knowledge deficits in the areas of people management skills and the ability to apply core knowledge quickly in situations when needed were identified as the greatest deficits. Preferred processes identified for transferring tacit knowledge were face-to-face exchanges, including mentoring and networking. The most important impact on hospitals was decreased response time and productivity. This research identified ways to acquire and transfer knowledge to reduce tacit knowledge deficits. These methods are transferable to other areas within the hospital, leading to greater knowledge transfer and improved hospital operations, and to other industries.

• Susan Cathcart, Ph.D., Chair
• Helen Bojarczyk, Ph.D.
• Bradford McAllister, Ph.D.