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. 2025 May 12;24(1):508.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03165-y.

Assessing the relationship between supervisor knowledge sharing and innovative behaviors among clinical nurses: the mediating role of organizational learning

Nima Gharajeh-Alamdari  1 , Alireza Mirzaei  1 , Saeid Mehri  1 , Aghil Habibi Soola  2   3
Affiliations

Assessing the relationship between supervisor knowledge sharing and innovative behaviors among clinical nurses: the mediating role of organizational learning

Nima Gharajeh-Alamdari et al. BMC Nurs. .

Abstract

Background: In today's rapidly evolving healthcare environment, nurses' innovative behaviors are crucial for improving patient care quality and organizational effectiveness. While supervisor knowledge-sharing behavior has been identified as a potential innovation driver, the mechanisms influencing nurses' innovative behaviors remain unclear.

Objective: To investigate the mediating role of organizational learning in the relationship between supervisors' knowledge sharing behavior and nurses' innovative behaviors in clinical settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 nurses from university hospitals of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between September and November 2024. Data were collected using the Supervisor Knowledge Sharing Behavior Questionnaire (SKSBQ), Innovative Behavior Inventory (IBI), and Organizational Learning Instrument-Development Stages (OLI-DS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to test the hypothesized relationships.

Results: Findings revealed significant positive correlations between supervisor knowledge sharing behavior, organizational learning, and innovative behaviors. SEM results confirmed that organizational learning partially mediated the relationship between supervisor knowledge sharing behavior and nurses' innovative behaviors.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the crucial role of supervisor knowledge sharing behavior in fostering nurses' innovative behaviors directly and through the mediating effect of organizational learning. Healthcare organizations should prioritize developing supervisors' knowledge sharing capabilities and establishing robust organizational learning cultures to enhance innovation among nursing staff.

Rct code: Not applicable.

Keywords: Healthcare management; Innovative behaviors; Knowledge sharing; Nursing leadership; Organizational learning.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical statement: This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID: IR.ARUMS.REC.1403.212). Prior to participation, the clinical nurses were fully informed about the study’s objectives and were made aware that their involvement was voluntary. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant, who were also assured that they could withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences. All ethical standards prescribed by the Declaration of Helsinki were strictly followed, with measures taken to protect participants’ privacy and confidentiality. No identifying information will be disclosed in any publications or reports stemming from this research. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The hypothesized theoretical model
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The SEM regarding the effect of supervisor knowledge sharing behavior on innovative behaviors through organizational learning. Abbreviation: SKSB, Supervisor Knowledge Sharing Behavior; EKSB, explicit knowledge sharing behavior; TKSB, tacit knowledge sharing behavior; IO₁, Identity and Ownership; TR, Team and Respect; AS, Accountability and Support; SR, Reliability and Sustainability; IG, Idea Generation; IS, Idea search; IC, Idea Communication; ISA, Implementation starting activities; IO₂, involving others; OO, Overcoming obstacles; IOU, Innovation Output
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