Hospital Innovation and its Relationship with Transformational and Ambidextrous Leadership

Abstract

Purpose: The study aims to examine the influence of transformational and ambidextrous leadership styles on administrative and technological innovation in public sector hospitals. It also examines the influence of each component of leadership styles on hospital innovation.

Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study employed the survey methodology to investigate the relationships between leadership styles and hospital innovation. A total of 315 usable responses were collected from medical officers working in public sector hospitals. A 29-item scale was used to assess the leadership styles and a 17-item scale was used to assess hospital innovation. Demographic data were obtained, which included age, work tenure, gender, and educational level.

Findings: The hospitals demonstrated a moderate level of administrative and technological innovation. As perceived by the medical officers, transformational and ambidextrous leadership styles were positive and significant predictors of hospital innovation. It further revealed that the idealized influence and intellectual stimulation components of transformational, and exploitation behaviors of ambidextrous leadership are positive and significant predictors of hospital innovation.

Conclusions: Transformational and ambidextrous leadership styles were effective in enhancing innovation in healthcare organizations. More attention must be focused on developing leadership competencies among medical doctors to perform leadership roles in their organizations and promote innovation.

Implications: Healthcare policies and strategies are needed to promote innovation, and facilitate the implementation of certain leadership qualities by providing healthcare leaders with the appropriate training and environment.

Originality/value: This research presents a rare insight into the current state of healthcare innovation in the public sector hospitals in Pakistan, especially because the country is relatively under-researched and under-resourced in the health sector. Thus, the research adds to the theoretical views concerning earlier research undertaken in other, mainly developed countries, highlighting new perspectives on healthcare leadership and innovation..