DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF UNION AND NONUNION AFFILIATION ON PERCEIVED ROLE CONFLICT, CONFLICT RESOLUTION MODES, LEADER BEHAVIOR STYLES, AND LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS OF HEAD NURSES.
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 145
Subjects: Health Sciences, Health Care Management.
Description: This study was a descriptive investigation of differences in the existence of perceived role conflict, conflict resolution modes, leader behavior styles, and leadership effectiveness among union and non-union affiliated head nurses in middle management hospital positions. There were three instruments used in this research: one on the existence of perceived role conflict, one on the choice of conflict resolution mode, and one on leader behavior styles and leadership effectiveness. Questions concerning demographic information and qualitative inquiry into factors thought to increase or reduce role conflict were also included. Union and non-union affiliated head nurses on staff at voluntary teaching hospitals' in the New York metropolitan area completed the instruments. All data obtained were analyzed by t-tests for individual and aggregate scores. An analysis of covariance was performed in order to determine whether the means by group, for leadership effectiveness, would outweigh the effect of demographic variables.

There were no significant differences in the existence of perceived role conflict among union as compared to non-union affiliated head nurses in the aggregate. However, there were several individual items that did produce significantly more perceived role conflict among union affiliated head nurses. There were no significant differences in conflict resolution modes or leader behavior styles, but there were significantly higher levels of leadership effectiveness among non-union affiliated head nurses controlling for the covariates. Responses to the qualitative questions indicated possible confusion between role and intersender conflict.

Based upon the results of this research, subject to its limitations, it is concluded that non-union affiliated head nurses experience enhanced leadership effectiveness than union affiliated head nurses. It was also observed that there were lesser degrees of perceived role conflict in two out of ten areas studied, both of which warrant further research. For broader application, role and intersender conflict should be clarified and then this research should be replicated in diverse geographic areas and in different types of facilities.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-05, Section: B, page: 1836.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1989.

School code: 0055.