An evaluation of critical knowledge areas for managing the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose The ability to manage the COVID-19 pandemic is contingent upon the ability to effectively manage its heterogeneous knowledge resources. Knowledge mapping represents a great opportunity to create value by bringing stakeholders together, facilitating comprehensive collaboration and facilitating broader in-depth knowledge sharing and transfer. However, identifying and analysing critical knowledge areas is one of the most important steps when creating a knowledge map. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to appraise the critical knowledge areas for managing COVID-19, and thereby enhance decision-making in tackling the consequences of the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The methodological approach for this study is a critical literature review, covering publications on knowledge management, knowledge mapping and COVID-19. EBSCOhost, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, TRID, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library were searched for full text, peer-reviewed articles written in English that investigated on critical knowledge areas for managing the spread of COVID-19. After full screening, 21 articles met the criteria for inclusion and were analysed and reported. Findings The study revealed seven critical knowledge areas for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. These are cleaning and disinfection; training, education and communication; reporting guidance and updates; testing; infection control measures, personal protective equipment; and potential COVID-19 transmission in health and other care settings. The study developed a concept knowledge map illustrating areas of critical knowledge which decision-makers need to be aware of. Practical implications Providing decision-makers with access to key knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be crucial for effective decision-making. This study has provided insights for the professionals and decision-makers identifying the critical knowledge areas for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Social implications The study advances the literature on knowledge management and builds a theoretical link with the management of public health emergencies. Additionally, the findings support the theoretical position that knowledge maps facilitate decision-making and help users to identify critical knowledge areas easily and effectively. Originality/value This study fills gaps in the existing literature by providing an explicit representation of know-how for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper uses an objective and qualitative approach by reviewing related publications, reports and guidelines in the analysis. The concept map illustrates the critical knowledge areas for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early evidence of leadership skills and strategies in managing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the hospitality industry

“…, 2009; Wooten and James, 2008). Following the ability to collect information, assess it and distribute it, the competency of a leader to make strategic decisions may be the critical difference to surviving a crisis (Abdalla et al. , 2022; Adams et al.…”

“…Many researchers believe that crisis leaders must primarily possess analytical skills to make sense of a large amount of conflicting and erroneous information (Borodzicz, 2004;Hadley et al, 2009;Wooten and James, 2008). Following the ability to collect information, assess it and distribute it, the competency of a leader to make strategic decisions may be the critical difference to surviving a crisis (Abdalla et al, 2022;Adams et al, 2013;Bauman, 2011;Hadley et al, 2009;Hasel, 2013;Tourish, 2020). Also, Nguyen et al (2022) point to the problem of withholding information within organizations and show that transformational leaders can encourage knowledge sharing in crisis situations such as the current pandemic.…”

Techniques and Technologies for Managing COVID-19 Related Knowledge: A Systematic Review

“…The findings emphasises the role of digital technology in the COVID-19 pandemic response management (Drew et al, 2020;Abdalla et al, 2022b). Moreover, ICTs provided various tools that facilitate KM procedures during COVID-19 pandemic (Alomari et al, 2021;Abdalla et al, 2022a). ICT based tools and social media platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, Twitter), MS Teams, Video Conferencing, virtual communities, Virtual Meeting, instant messaging, and mobile applications are considered key sources for knowledge capturing and knowledge sharing during COVID-19 pandemic (Alomari et al, 2021).…”

Improving Knowledge-Sharing Intentions: A Study in Indonesian Service Industries

“…Information technology infrastructure is a combination of hardware, software, and specific workers who manage the information technology [15]. The stronger need to access the firm's information technology infrastructure from various places at the same time also increases the security necessary for preventing unauthorized persons from accessing the firm's system, thus prompting the need for more detailed management of hardware and software [43]. Hardware is separated between devices and the network, where the network comprises not only hardware but also security management and related procedures [21,44].…”