A Sociological Overview of Knowledge Management in Macro Level Health Care Decision-Making

Abstract

Abstract Purpose - The study aimed at providing a thorough conceptual overview of knowledge management as a critical conduit in ensuring effective macro level health care decision-making. Design/Methodology/Approach - Unobtrusive methodology involving content analysis was adopted for the study. Relevant contemporary literature were systematically reviewed to inform the discussion made in the paper. Findings - The study revealed that knowledge management though well grounded and utilized by the business sector, its application in informing health care decision-making, particularly at the macro level is weak. This amplifies the relevance of the study in providing the basis upon which knowledge management can be built and institutionalized in informing macro level health care decision-making. Research limitations/Implications - Macro level health care decision-makers as a matter of urgency need to embrace the utilization of knowledge management as an important precursor in making effective health care decision-making. It is highly recommended that knowledge management be perceived and pursued in a systemic fashion in order to maximize its gains in the health care sector. This cannot be more important especially in an era of evidence-based medical practice. Originality/Value - Evidently, knowledge management and its application in informing macro level health care decision-making is lacking, in spite of the prominent nature of its application in many other spheres of human endeavour, particularly in the business sector. A conceptual overview of knowledge management and its application in informing macro level health care decision-making, therefore, provides the intellectual platform in fortifying knowledge management in macro level health care decision-making. Key words - Knowledge Management, Knowledge System, Knowledge Processes, Health Care, Macro Level, Decision-Making, Evidence-Based Medicine, Organizational Success. Paper Type - Conceptual Paper