Zappa, Paola
(2011)
The network structure of knowledge sharing among
physicians.
Quality & Quantity, 45 (5).
pp. 1109-1126.
ISSN 0033-5177
Abstract
This paper applies social network analysis in order to model knowledge sharing
among hospital physicians. Drawing on the literature on the diffusion of innovation and
cooperation in clinical settings, it aims to furnish better understanding of knowledge sharing
in two directions: describing how knowledge flows and identifying individual and contextual
factors which facilitate its spontaneous spreading. Used to address these issues is a linktracing
sample of about 800 Italian hospital physicians, potentially involved in prescribing a
newdrug. The paper represents knowledge sharing about the innovation as a network. It therefore
specifies Exponential Random Graphs (ERG) or p* models to reconstruct the network
structure of knowledge sharing and to test the effect of exogenous factors on the tendency
to take action in the network. The results show that knowledge flows informally, exploiting
mutual information-seeking relationships, and, consistently with previous studies, locally,
with physicians tending to cluster in small groups of proximate and similar peers. Moreover
empirical evidence is provided that the propensity to share information with colleagues is
greatly affected by individual-specific characteristics, mainly by the experience in the field
and the attitude toward the innovation, and by exposure to commercial communication.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Innovation; Healthcare; Knowledge sharing; Social networks;
ERG or p* models; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Business |
| Item ID: |
11297 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-011-9494-1 |
| Depositing User: |
Paola Zappa
|
| Date Deposited: |
16 Oct 2019 11:32 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Quality & Quantity |
| Publisher: |
Springer Nature |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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