Organisational learning in hospitals: A concept analysis.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• Organizational learning is a key strategy for improving hospital performance.
• Clear definitions are essential for advancing theory, research, and practice in healthcare.
• Nurse managers and leaders can leverage organizational learning to enhance outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and describe organizational learning within the hospital context.
• To establish a clear conceptual understanding for research and practice.
• To identify the core components and applications of organizational learning in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis using Walker & Avant's method.
• Comprehensive literature review of 147 empirical studies, 16 review articles, and reference materials.
• Systematic approach to deconstruct and synthesize the concept of organizational learning.

Main Results:

• Organizational learning is defined as the process of converting experiences into enhanced collective knowledge, cognition, and actions.
• The hospital's organizational context is a critical factor influencing the learning process.
• Key attributes, antecedents, empirical referents, and consequences of organizational learning were identified.

Conclusions:

• A clear definition and description of organizational learning in hospitals have been established.
• Nurse managers and leaders can improve patient and organizational outcomes by promoting an environment that facilitates organizational learning.
• Further research is recommended to advance the scientific understanding of organizational learning in hospital settings.