An emerging knowledge management framework adopted byhealthcare workers in China to combat COVID-19

Abstract

This study examines elements of knowledge management (KM) applied during the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and proposes a KM framework that can be applied to respond quickly to a new virus outbreak. Following a content analysis of the press conferences held in China, this study found that various elements of KM, including strategic KM, the knowledge codification strategy vs. the knowledge personalization strategy, a knowledge-friendly culture, knowledge-based leadership, KM-based human resource management, and KM-related information technologies, were widely used by Chinese authorities and healthcare workers to improve treatment effectiveness for COVID-19 patients. This paper provides a unique case study on how KM helps the government and the healthcare workers to respond to an unexpected public hygiene crisis.