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Training effectiveness and health-worker performance: the roles of knowledge management and soft-skill competence
Hasmin H.
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
Q2Abstract
PURPOSE: The study aims to test whether knowledge management (KM) and soft-skill competence (SSC) mediate the effect of training effectiveness (TE) on health-worker performance in Indonesian public healthcare organisations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A cross-sectional survey of health workers in public healthcare organisations in Indonesia was analysed to test the proposed capability pathway linking training, KM, soft skills and performance. FINDINGS: TE was positively associated with KM (β = 0.756, p < 0.001), SSC (β = 0.213, p = 0.001) and health workforce performance (β = 0.296, p = 0.001). KM strongly predicted SSC (β = 0.799, p < 0.001), while SSC positively predicted health workforce performance (β = 0.638, p < 0.001). Bootstrapping showed that the indirect effect of TE on performance through KM and SSC was significant and stronger than the direct effect (indirect β = 0.522, BC 95% CI [0.372, 0.726], p < 0.001). RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The study uses self-reported, cross-sectional data; causal inferences are therefore limited. Future research should incorporate longitudinal designs and objective quality indicators (e.g. adherence to clinical and administrative standards, safety-event reporting and patient experience measures). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Quality improvement leaders should prioritise training transfer. They can use simple KM routines, such as brief after-action reviews, SOP updates and peer learning. They should also reinforce soft skills through handover communication, teamwork practice and patient-centred interaction. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Strengthening knowledge routines and soft skills can support more consistent and respectful care, especially in resource-constrained settings where service reliability and patient trust are critical. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Rather than claiming the broad theoretical novelty, this study offers a context-specific empirical contribution by testing a serial capability pathway through which TE relates to health-worker performance in Indonesian public healthcare organisations. It shows that KM and SSC operate as two complementary and actionable mechanisms that help translate training into performance-relevant routines.