INVESTIGATING KNOWLEDGE SHARING PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES WITHIN COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE AMONG NURSES IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY CLINICS, KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This qualitative study, employing a narrative-based design, explored knowledge sharing practices and challenges within Communities of Practice (CoPs) among nurses in federal university clinics in Kano State, Nigeria. Three research objectives guided the research while eight senior nurses were purposively selected from a population of 54 to participate in the study. Findings revealed that both tacit (implicit) and explicit knowledge are shared within these CoPs. Tacit knowledge, such as personal experiences and intuition, is often conveyed through informal interactions, while explicit knowledge, like technical skills and information from external sources, is shared through formal channels. Strategies employed to support CoPs include team meetings, discussions, training programs, workshops, conferences, brainstorming sessions, peer coaching, focus groups, seminars, video screening sessions, decision-support systems, blogs, wikis, emails, portals, and other online communication channels. However, challenges hindering the effectiveness of CoPs as identified include individual factors such as trust and openness, organizational culture issues like management support, reward systems, and incentives, and technological factors. The study recommended that there is need establish appropriate reward mechanisms to motivate nurses to participate in CoPs and share knowledge as well as to promote a culture of trust and openness, there is need for CoPs to continue sustaining the strategies they used as well as initiating new ones as this collectively contribute towards supportive and collaborative environment that fosters knowledge exchange and professional development among nurses, and there is need for the CoPs have adequate funding and resources to support their activities as this will ensure active participation through targeted outreach and incentives. There is also need to consider the specific needs and preferences of nurses when designing and implementing CoPs.