Knowledge Flows through Social Networks in New-born Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Interest in furthering social sciences research by networking has significantly increased over the past decade, leading to the formation of the social network theory This is the study of the interaction of a myriad of social phenomena for the corporate benefit of individuals in healthcare research. However, despite its ability to contribute to the knowledge of networking, especially the relationship between collaborators, this theory has not been applied to the collaboration of staff in New-born Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify the key concepts and factors of social networking that affect the flow of knowledge in NICUs. This will involve a review of the relevant literature to facilitate an insight of social networks and a demonstration of the use of a Social Network Analysis (SNA) as methods to develop future research the significance of this study lies in its usefulness to NICU staff by outlining and illustrating the means to identify the underlying network and associated key actors of a NICU.