Search results

1 – 10 of 20
Article
Publication date: 7 April 2020

Robert Lundmark, Karina Nielsen, Henna Hasson, Ulrica von Thiele Schwarz and Susanne Tafvelin

Line managers can make or break organizational interventions, yet little is known about what makes them turn in either direction. As leadership does not occur in a vacuum, it has…

Abstract

Purpose

Line managers can make or break organizational interventions, yet little is known about what makes them turn in either direction. As leadership does not occur in a vacuum, it has been suggested that the organizational context plays an important role. Building on the intervention and leadership literature, we examine if span of control and employee readiness for change are related to line managers' leadership during an organizational intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Leadership is studied in terms of intervention-specific constructive, as well as passive and active forms of destructive, leadership behaviors. As a sample, we use employees (N = 172) from 37 groups working at a process industry plant. Multilevel analyses over two time points, with both survey and organizational register data were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results revealed that span of control was negatively related to constructive leadership and positively related to passive destructive leadership during the intervention. Employee readiness for change was positively related to constructive leadership, and negatively related to both passive and active destructive leadership.

Practical implications

Our findings suggest that contextual factors need to be assessed and considered if we want line managers to engage in constructive rather than destructive leadership during interventions.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to address line managers' making or breaking of organizational interventions by examining the influence of context on both their destructive and constructive leadership.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2022

Hamid Roodbari, Karina Nielsen, Carolyn Axtell, Susan E. Peters and Glorian Sorensen

Realist evaluation seeks to answer the question of “what works for whom in which circumstances?” through developing and testing middle range theories (MRTs). MRTs are programme…

Abstract

Purpose

Realist evaluation seeks to answer the question of “what works for whom in which circumstances?” through developing and testing middle range theories (MRTs). MRTs are programme theories that outline how certain mechanisms of an intervention work in a specific context to bring about certain outcomes. In this paper, the authors tested an initial MRT about the mechanism of participation. The authors used evidence from a participatory organisational intervention in five worksites of a large multi-national organisation in the US food service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data from 89 process tracking documents and 24 post-intervention, semi-structured interviews with intervention stakeholders were analysed using template analysis.

Findings

The operationalised mechanism was partial worksite managers’ engagement with the research team. Six contextual factors (e.g. high workload) impaired participation, and one contextual factor (i.e. existing participatory practices) facilitated participation. Worksite managers’ participation resulted in limited improvement in their awareness of how working conditions can impact on their employees’ safety, health, and well-being. Based on these findings, the authors modified the initial MRT into an empirical MRT.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of “what works for whom in which circumstances” regarding participation in organisational interventions.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2021

Eyvind Helland, Marit Christensen, Siw Tone Innstrand and Karina Nielsen

This paper explores line managers' proactive work behaviors in organizational interventions and ascertains how their management of their middle-levelness by aligning with the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper explores line managers' proactive work behaviors in organizational interventions and ascertains how their management of their middle-levelness by aligning with the intervention, or not, influences their proactive work behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ findings are based on thematic analysis of 20 semi-structured interviews of university heads of departments responsible for managing organizational interventions.

Findings

The authors found that line managers engaged in a range of proactive work behaviors to implement the organizational intervention (i.e. “driving proactive behaviors”). Furthermore, line managers tended to engage in driving proactive behaviors when they aligned with the organizational intervention, but not to when unconvinced of the intervention's validity.

Practical implications

These findings highlight the importance of senior management and HR investing sufficient time and quality in the preparation phase to ensure all actors have a shared understanding of the organizational interventions' validity.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore line managers' proactive work behaviors to implement an organizational intervention, and how the line managers' management of their middle-levelness influence these proactive work behaviors.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 May 2021

Susanne Tafvelin, Henna Hasson, Karina Nielsen and Ulrica von Thiele Schwarz

In previous studies, outcomes of leadership training have varied, with some studies suggesting large effects and others small. Although the transfer of training literature…

2477

Abstract

Purpose

In previous studies, outcomes of leadership training have varied, with some studies suggesting large effects and others small. Although the transfer of training literature suggests a number of factors that influence training outcomes, this knowledge has seldom been used when evaluating the outcomes of leadership training. The purpose of the present study is therefore to examine how factors related to transfer of training influence outcomes of leadership training.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present research, follower-rated outcomes of a leadership training program in Denmark (N = 298) was examined from a transfer of training perspective.

Findings

Using Baldwin and Ford's transfer of training model as a framework, analyses revealed that leaders' utility reactions (i.e. perception of usefulness) and learning were linked to transfer of training. In addition, leaders' perceptions of transfer were associated with post-intervention follower-rated transformational leadership and collective self-efficacy.

Practical implications

Making sure that leaders find the training useful for their everyday activities (i.e. positive utility reactions) and that they have time to learn the training content is important to enable transfer and for leaders to use trained skills back at work.

Originality/value

The findings indicate the importance of understanding how leaders' perception of training content influences leadership training outcomes and that these perceptions need to be a part of the evaluation of leadership training. In addition, the findings suggest that factors predicting transfer of leadership training differ from other types of training.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 42 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 October 2022

Karina Nielsen and Jo Yarker

Sustainable return to work remains challenging for workers returning after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs): stress, anxiety and depression. Line…

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainable return to work remains challenging for workers returning after long-term sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs): stress, anxiety and depression. Line managers play a significant role in supporting returned workers. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the supportive behaviors of line managers in supporting returned workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a longitudinal study with up to three semi-structured interviews with 20 line managers with experience managing returned workers. In these interviews, the authors asked questions about the supportive behaviors line managers enacted to support workers and the role of the context. The authors conducted reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

The analyses revealed five key strategies, including managing workload, flexible working time arrangements, location of work, mental health check-ups and long-term support. The interviewed line managers reported their own lived experiences and that being aware of the limitations of their role, together with training and support from senior management and human resources (HR), enabled them to provide appropriate support.

Practical implications

The five strategies and the barriers and facilitators to implementing these may enable HR to develop policies and procedures to support line managers, including training of line managers.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the UK on line managers’ behaviors to support workers who have returned to work after a period of long-term sickness absence due to CMDs. The identification of such behaviors is paramount to developing organizational policies and practices. The question, however, remains whether employees see these behaviors as effective.

Details

Journal of Managerial Psychology, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-3946

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 June 2014

Karina Nielsen

The paper aims to identify main approaches to seniors’ tourist behaviour. Population ageing has contributed to increasing interest in seniors’ tourist behaviour in the developed…

2392

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to identify main approaches to seniors’ tourist behaviour. Population ageing has contributed to increasing interest in seniors’ tourist behaviour in the developed countries over the past decades. Over time, several aspects have been examined such as travel constraints, motivations, market segmentation or the dynamic nature of the senior market. Considering the wide-ranging scope of the literature on seniors’ tourist behaviour, as well as the differing views of an older person, the purpose of the paper is to identify main approaches to seniors’ tourist behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The approaches to seniors’ tourist behaviour were identified through a literature review of empirical studies on the topic. The studies were examined in terms of three key elements: the temporal dimension, travel constraints and the segmentation criteria. The approaches were described in light of life cycle and generational theory, highlighting key variables and empirical results.

Findings

Four approaches, that reflect intertwining characteristics of seniors’ tourist behaviour, are found: analysis of constraints, comparative analysis, analysis of heterogeneity and temporal analysis. Overall, how seniors’ tourist behaviour is approached is related to how seniors are viewed. Two broad views are suggested: seniors seen as an ageing group or as a heterogeneous group.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of the literature on seniors’ tourist behaviour, which deepens understanding of the complexity of the topic, and describes different ways of approaching it. It contributes to the literature by proposing a synthesis of approaches, which can be useful for bridging the gap between different approaches in future research.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 69 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 July 2019

Aladeen Alloubani, Laila Akhu-Zaheya, Ibrahim Mubarak Abdelhafiz and M. Almatari

The purpose of this paper is to investigate managers’ leadership styles, from the perspective of registered nurses, and its effects on the quality of nursing care in both the…

16339

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate managers’ leadership styles, from the perspective of registered nurses, and its effects on the quality of nursing care in both the private and public healthcare sectors. An additional aim is to assess the relationship between leadership styles and particular organisational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this quantitative research study was comprised of 400 respondents, among which 50 were nurse managers, 150 were staff nurses and the remaining respondents were patients. Two questionnaires were used in this study: the multi-factor leadership questionnaire (MLQ) 5X short and a patient satisfaction with nursing care quality questionnaire (PSNCQQ).

Findings

A positive correlation was found between the transformational leadership style with leadership outcomes and the quality of nursing care (r=0.811**, 0.759**, 0.789** and 0.877** for extra effort, job satisfaction, leader effectiveness and quality, respectively).

Practical implications

Although the sample study was extensive, a possible limitation is that the research utilised convenient sample who are working in the private and public healthcare sectors thus limiting the generalisability of the study.

Originality/value

This study was proposed as a baseline for upcoming studies in areas of education, nursing practice, research and quality. Moreover, this study was expected to be imperative to the hospital’s management, in order to improve the current level of leadership, education models and advancement programs for the healthcare sector’s senior staff.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 32 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2022

Morten Lund Poulsen, Per Nikolaj Bukh and Karina Skovvang Christensen

This paper studies how performance funding of education is perceived by principals, teachers and administrative staff and management. The dysfunctionality of performance measures…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper studies how performance funding of education is perceived by principals, teachers and administrative staff and management. The dysfunctionality of performance measures often reflects how the measures prevent an organisation from achieving its goals. This paper proposes that perceptions of dysfunctionality can be analysed by separating the perceptions of the programme's intentions, of the school-level actions and of the outcomes for students.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers, school management, staff specialists and top management in a large Danish municipality when outcome-based funding was introduced.

Findings

The performance-funding programme affected teaching by changing educational priorities. Different perceptions of the (dys)functionality of intentions, actions and outcomes fuelled diverging responses. Although the performance measure was generally considered incomplete, interviewees' perceptions of the financial incentivisation and the dysfunctionality of actions depended on interpretations of the incentivisation and student-related outcomes of the programme.

Research limitations/implications

Dysfunctionality can be contested; the interpretations of the intention of a performance-funding programme affect the perceived dysfunctionality of reactions. Both technical characteristics of funding schemes and administrators' and principals' mediating roles are essential for the consequences of performance funding.

Originality/value

The paper examines conditions for dysfunctionality of performance measures. We demonstrate that actions can be perceived as dysfunctional because of a measurement's intentions, actions themselves and the actions' outcomes. Further, the paper illustrates how the reception of performance funding depends on how consequences are enacted based on educators' interpretations of the (dys)functionality of intentions, actions and outcomes.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Klarissa Lueg, Rainer Lueg, Karina Andersen and Veronica Dancianu

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how standards and guidelines for corporate social responsibility (CSR) can help a company in its integrated reporting (IR). The authors…

4280

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how standards and guidelines for corporate social responsibility (CSR) can help a company in its integrated reporting (IR). The authors investigate the motivations of diverse stakeholders (including shareholders) in fostering the adoption of standards and guidelines for CSR after IR became mandatory in Denmark.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a case study at the Danish carpet manufacturer EGE. The authors interpret the case from the perspective of pragmatic constructivism, which focuses on the integration of four dimensions: facts, possibilities, values, and communication.

Findings

The authors find that the family-owned EGE follows a strategy of “enlightened shareholder value,” in which CSR is an essential value driver. This strategy fostered IR with guidelines and standards for CSR. The CSR practices appeared to be helpful for integrating measureable plans to the strategy and for controlling CSR implementation. However, the long and technical CSR reports did not effectively communicate EGE’s values and possibilities. The authors outline how EGE overcame these barriers.

Originality/value

The authors suggest that IR implementation depends on the context, and the authors explain why the case company has opted to issue two separate reports for their IR. In addition, the authors suggest that standardized approaches to CSR may be suitable for internal planning and control purposes; however, companies must go beyond these measurements to achieve IR.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2022

Rafik Smara, Karina Bogatyreva, Anastasiia Laskovaia and Hunter Phoenix Van Wagoner

Exploration and exploitation have long been documented as prominent approaches to business management and organizational adaptation to external environment. Maintaining balance…

Abstract

Purpose

Exploration and exploitation have long been documented as prominent approaches to business management and organizational adaptation to external environment. Maintaining balance between these activities is a key to survival and prosperity. However, there is little direct evidence of the effect of such combined usage of both approaches on firm performance in times of crisis, especially within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to reveal the role of balanced ambidexterity in shaping firm performance during COVID-19 recession.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 333 Russian SMEs, the authors test the proposed theoretical framework linking innovative ambidexterity to firm performance level and variability taking into account technological uncertainty.

Findings

The results show that innovative ambidexterity tends to increase level and decrease variability of performance outcomes, whereas technological uncertainty acts as a positive contingency for this impact.

Originality/value

The results provide an improved understanding of ambidexterity and organizational literatures by clarifying the contingent nature of the ambidexterity–firm performance relationship during COVID-19 recession.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

1 – 10 of 20