Authentic leadership in healthcare: a scoping review. Issue 1 (5th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malila, Niina; Lunkka, Nina; Suhonen, Marjo
• Is Part Of: Leadership in health services. Volume 31:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2018-02-05
• Subjects: Health care -- Authentic leadership -- Scoping review; Medical care -- Periodicals; Health services administration -- Periodicals; Health services administration -- Canada -- Periodicals; 362.1068
• DOI: 10.1108/LHS-02-2017-0007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-1879

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review peer-reviewed original research articles on authentic leadership (AL) in health care to identify potential research gaps and present recommendations for future research. The objectives are to examine and map evidence of the main characteristics, research themes and methodologies in the studies. AL is a leader's non-authoritarian, ethical and transparent behaviour pattern. Design/methodology/approach: A scoping review with thematic analysis was conducted. A three-step search strategy was used with database and manual searches. The included studies were composed of English language peer-reviewed original research articles referring to both AL and health care. Findings: In total, 29 studies were included. The studies favoured Canadian nurses in acute care hospitals. AL was understood as its original definition. The review identified four research themes: well-being at work, patient care quality, work environment and AL promotion. Quantitative research methodology with the authentic leadership questionnaire and cross-sectional design were prevalent. Research limitations/implications: Future research needs more variation in research themes, study populations, settings, organisations, work sectors, geographical origins and theory perspectives. Different research methodologies, such as qualitative and mixed methods research and longitudinal designs, should be used more. Originality/value: This is presumably the first literature review to map the research on AL in health care.