Application of Diffusion of Innovations Models in Hospital Knowledge Management Systems: Lessons to Be Learned in Complex Organizations

The authors identify a number of lessons to be learned regarding implementing a knowledge management system in hospitals. Building on the diffusion of innovations model, the authors address the development and implementation of a staffing productivity system designed to anticipate future hospital staffing needs. They describe the methodology behind the daily staff management system, efforts to market the system, and the implementation process and subsequent discontinuance of the system in a few early adopter hospitals. The authors address a number of principles of diffusion of innovations in the context of a complex adaptive system and provide insights into why some knowledge management systems fail.