Size does matter – span of control in hospitals
Journal of Health Organization and Management
ISSN: 1477-7266
Article publication date: 10 April 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Centralization, mergers and cost reductions have generally led to increasing levels of span of control (SOC), and thus potentially to lower leadership capacity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a large SOC impacts hospital staff and their leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a qualitative explorative case study of three large inpatient wards.
Findings
The study finds that the nursing staff and their frontline leaders experience challenges in regard to visibility and role of the leader, e.g., in creating overview, coordination, setting-up clear goals, following up and being in touch. However, large wards also provide flexibility and development possibilities.
Practical implications
The authors discuss the implications of these findings for decision makers in deciding future SOC and for future SOC research.
Originality/value
Only few studies have qualitatively explored the consequences of large SOC in hospitals.
Keywords
Citation
Holm-Petersen, C., Østergaard, S. and Andersen, P.B.N. (2017), "Size does matter – span of control in hospitals", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 192-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-04-2016-0073
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited