Exploring the relationship between organizational silence and organizational learning in nurses: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Aims To assess the organizational silence and learning levels among nurses of a university hospital and explore the relationship between the socio-demographics, organizational silence and learning.

Background Organisational learning is an active process needed for improving organisational performance, and silence has a devastating impact on an organization's capacity to learn.

Methods A cross-sectional quantitative design was applied using two tools: the organizational silence and the organizational learning scales. Over 3 months, data were collected from 724 nurses. The data were then analysed using suitable statistical methods.

Results The organizational silence level is moderate. The organizational learning level is predominantly moderate. The association between the two scales is a weak negative correlation, yet statistically significant. The multiple regression analysis was better in predicting organisational learning scores.

Conclusions There is a highly statistically significant negative weak correlation between overall organizational silence and overall organizational learning. More researchers are invited to implement of interventions to promote speaking-up behaviors and organizational learning in nurses.

Implications for Nursing Management Nurse managers and leaders can create a work atmosphere that encourages and promotes open communication among nurses and other health care team members, likewise, creating an environment conducive to translating experiences into organizational learning.