Comparison of correlation between knowledge management and organizational culture at public and private hospitals of Shiraz City

Introduction: Knowledge management is a way of improving conditions for the survival of the organization. Successful implemented system in organizations has appropriate cultural context. The aim of this research was to compare the correlation between knowledge management and organizational culture at public and private hospitals of Shiraz City Materials & Methods: This research was a descriptive- correlational study. A sample of 251 person from public and private hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected based on availability of samples. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire that consists of three sections of "demographic information", “Knowledge Management Questionnaire” and “Organizational Culture Questionnaire”. The judgment of 7 experts confirmed the content validity of the questionnaires. In addition, Cronbach's alpha and test-retest for both questionnaires were measured. Data were analyzed with SPSS/16. Findings: The highest scores in, knowledge management dimensions of public hospitals were knowledge transition, knowledge creation and knowledge saving and in private hospitals knowledge saving, knowledge transition and knowledge creation, respectively. Organizational culture of public hospitals, organizational dependency, Conslict tolerance, personal creativity, and management support and leadership style. In private hospitals, organizational dependency, personal creativity, Conslict tolerance, leadership style and management support received the highest rating in order. There was a significant correlation between knowledge management and organizational culture in the public hospitals 0.655 and in private hospitals 0.786. Conclusion: The knowledge management and organizational culture in the hospitals were on acceptable level. It is recommended that knowledge management and organizational culture to be considered in regard to personal creativity development and management style.