SOCIAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION: CONTRIBUTIONS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT TO INSTITUTIONAL MODERNIZATION

Abstract

This article presents a critical reflection on the growing demand for innovation within the context of Social Health Organizations (OSS), emphasizing the strategic role of knowledge management as a catalyst for institutional and human transformation. The study focuses on the evaluation of an internal development program aimed at enhancing competencies across various organizational levels, with particular attention to its capacity to foster disruptive innovation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques in a case study conducted at an OSS operating a healthcare unit in Northern Brazil. The findings indicate that the program significantly strengthens strategic capabilities, promotes active staff engagement, and reinforces an organizational culture rooted in continuous learning and innovation. These results support the conclusion that integrating knowledge management with disruptive innovation represents a promising strategy for institutional modernization, adding value to public healthcare services and positioning OSS as agents of change in response to contemporary challenges in health management.