A Needs Assessment of Knowledge Management and Social Learning for a National Health Federation in Nicaragua Open Access

Abstract

Abstract
A Needs Assessment of Knowledge Management and Social Learning for a National Health
Federation in Nicaragua
NicaSalud is a national health federation comprised of 28 national and international non-
governmental organizations that joined forces in order to improve health indicators nationally
following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. The federation has initiatives funded
and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is being used as a model for the formation of
other health networks in Central America. Program objectives explicitly include the sharing of
process, content, and lessons learned among organizations, but these are not being met due to a
lack of understanding of the concept and capacity for knowledge management in the federation.
As a result, there is a major lack of communication and information about what specific
organizations are doing and there is a high level of duplication of efforts and resources.
The purpose of this study was to explore existing experiences with knowledge management
among health-promoting non-governmental organizations in the federation, and expectations of
key stakeholders for a knowledge management strategy at the level of the federation. Three
research questions were addressed:
1. What experiences do health-promoting non-governmental organizations in the Federation
have with knowledge management?
2. What is expected of key stakeholders and how are the roles and responsibilities to be
divided for designing and implementing the strategy?
3. What are the priority content areas for such a strategy at the level of the Federation?
Secondary analysis of data from an evaluation conducted
interviews and nominal group process sessions were conducted with directors, program
managers and technical staff from NicaSalud member organizations in three geographic sub-
regions and the coordinating Technical Office. The results highlight the need for conceptual
clarity and uniformity on how knowledge management is defined within the federation. Member
organizations expressed interest in formalizing information sharing through the formation of a
knowledge management commission, establishing a network of knowledge promoters, and
pursuing additional funding to support the sustainability of these new initiatives.
Recommendations are made about key content areas and processes for designing a knowledge
management strategy and areas for further study.

Table of Contents

1

Table of Contents
Chapter I: Introduction .....................................................................................................2
Background ......................................................................................................................2
Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................5
Research Questions ..........................................................................................................5
Assumptions .....................................................................................................................5
Definition of Key Terms ..................................................................................................6
Chapter II: Literature Review ..........................................................................................7
Nicaragua .........................................................................................................................7
Health Care System ..........................................................................................................7
Knowledge Management and Learning in International NGOs .......................................8
CARE's Experience with Knowledge Management and Learning ..................................9
NicaSalud: Network Promoting Health in Nicaragua ....................................................11
Methods for the Current Study .......................................................................................13
Chapter III: Methodology ...............................................................................................13
Introduction ....................................................................................................................13
Target Population and Sample Participants ...................................................................14
Recruitment ....................................................................................................................14
Procedures ......................................................................................................................15
Instrument Development ................................................................................................17
Analysis ..........................................................................................................................18
Chapter IV: Results .........................................................................................................19
Table 1 Organizations Interviewed ................................................................................20
Research Question 1 .......................................................................................................21
Research Question 2 .......................................................................................................31
Research Question 3 .......................................................................................................36

2
Chapter V: Discussion .....................................................................................................40
Limitations .....................................................................................................................42
Implications.....................................................................................................................42
Recommendations ...........................................................................................................43

References .........................................................................................................................45
Appendix A: Introduction of Research Project to NicaSalud Member Organizations ..48
Appendix B: Interview Guide ........................................................................................49
Appendix C: Methodology for Nominal Group Process Sessions .................................51
Appendix D: Social Network Worksheet .......................................................................52

About this Master's Thesis

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• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Sociology, Organizational
Keyword	Nicaragua knowledge management
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Butler, Susan O, Emory University
Committee Members	Canepa, Claudia, CARE
Partnering Agencies	International Non-governmental organization (e.g., CARE, Inc.)

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