Dale, Andrew James Roger (1999) Defensive behaviours toward knowledge sharing. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Direct patient care requires knowledge sharing between clinical
professionals. However, clinicians have often been suspicious of managers'
motives, this lack of trust often resulting in reluctance to share knowledge for
managerial purposes.
Trust is one component of the psychological contract - an unwritten set of
expectations between employees and employer. There are strong links between
components of the psychological contract and defensive behaviours. There is
much theory to support these links but little research evidence to support and
explain these links.
To overcome defensive behaviours requires an understanding of how they
have developed, and particularly the role played by the psychological contract.
This research builds on research first undertaken by Argyris in the 1960s,
enhanced and made relevant to the current business environment and
organisational arrangements currently prevailing in the NHS. A model and an
analytical framework were developed for this research to assess organisational,
professional and employee health in two health authorities.
This research concludes that organisational ill-health, and failure to ensure
the psychological contract is intact, result in employees displaying defensive
behaviours and keeping knowledge to themselves. Components of the
psychological contract were found to have strong links with organisational
arrangements. Subtle variances were found between clinical and non-clinical
employees, and between Chief Executives/Directors and those below this level.
This research adds to our knowledge by identifying the different ways in
which these groups develop paradigms that are often in conflict, sometimes
intangible, and usually difficult to change. This added knowledge will allow
organisational, team and personal development to have a sharper focus,
particularly with reference to development of the psychological contract in the
NHS, overcoming defensive behaviours, and breaking down barriers to knowledge
sharing. This will support the development of infrastructures, teams and individuals
to take NHS organisations into the 21st century with added confidence.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Defensiveness (Psychology), Psychology, Industrial, Medical care -- Great Britain -- Employees -- Psychology, Medical care -- Great Britain -- Employees -- Supervision of, Knowledge management -- Psychological aspects, Great Britain. National Health Service -- Case studies, Great Britain. National Health Service -- Management
Official Date:	October 1999
Dates:	Date Event October 1999 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	School of Postgraduate Medical Education
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Gill, Leicester
Extent:	[23], 317, [14] leaves
Language:	eng

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