INNOVATIVENESS AND THE NURSING EXECUTIVE: ORGANIZATIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL PREDICTORS (MICHIGAN).
Contributors: Michigan State University.
Published: 1987
Number of pages: 213
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Administration.
Description: This investigation was an attempt to add to the body of research in innovation diffusion in the sector of nursing management. The study was designed to answer questions about the effect of selected factors on innovation adoption by the chief nursing executive.

A major element of innovation research is the innovation process and this provided the theoretical framework for the study. Two levels of variables, organizational and individual, were operationalized and integrated into the framework of the Zaltman model of the innovation process. The first stage of the process, initiation; with its substages knowledge-awareness, attitude formation, and decision making, provided the basis for this study.

The research was planned to survey the population of chief nursing executives of hospitals in Michigan. The survey instrument was designed with the assistance of researchers in innovation diffusion and hospital administration. A panel of nurses, composed of experts from the field of computer technology in health care, developed the list of computerized management applications which comprised the innovation index.

The data were analyzed using univariate frequencies, Chi-square tests, correlation coefficients, and multiple regression statistics. The analysis focused on two questions. First, what is the significance of each of the eight bivariate relationships? Secondly, which variables contribute the most to an explanation of the variance in the dependent variable?.

Data from bivariate relationships revealed a positive correlation between six of the eight independent variables and the dependent variable, innovation adoption. The organizational level variables, size and climate were significantly related and fiscal control was not. The individual level variables, role/position, computer knowledge, professionalism, and education were significantly related and experience was not. Three multiple regression equations were estimated to assess the effects of predictor variables both overall and by levels. The individual variables computer knowledge and education were determined to be the strongest predictors with size a weaker predictor. The individual level variables were stronger predictors of innovation adoption by chief nursing executives than the organizational level variables. Additional findings, conclusions, and recommendations are included in the study.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-12, Section: B, page: 3530.

Thesis (PH.D.)--MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, 1987.

School code: 0128.