Influence of leadership on quality nursing care
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 3 June 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which nursing leadership, perceived by nursing staff, influences nursing quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected between August and October 2011 in a Portuguese health center via a questionnaire completed by nurses. Our original sample included 283 employees; 184 questionnaires were received (65% response).
Findings
The theoretical model presents reasonably satisfactory fit indices (values above literature reference). Path analysis between latent constructs clearly suggests that nursing leadership has a direct (ß=0.724) and statistically significant (p=0.007) effect on nursing quality.
Originality/value
Results reinforce several ideas propagated throughout the literature, which suggests the relationship's relevance, but lacks empirical support, which this study corrects.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge partial financial support from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia).
Citation
Mendes, L. and de Jesus José Gil Fradique, M. (2014), "Influence of leadership on quality nursing care", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 439-450. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA-06-2013-0069
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited