Investigating the relationship between leadership styles of managers and employee efficiency

abstract    

The leadership style of managers is one of the effective factors in increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and ultimately productivity of organizations. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between the management style of managers and the efficiency of Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital in Isfahan in 2010-2011. To conduct this descriptive and cross-sectional research, Rensis Likert Leadership Style Questionnaire and Researcher Efficiency Questionnaire were used, and after measuring the validity and reliability based on random statistical sampling, a quota was distributed among 40 managers and employees of the studied hospital. The efficiency indicators of the hospital were also obtained from the statistics unit of the university. Analysis of research data has been done at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software.

Participatory management style has been the dominant style in the research community from the point of view of managers and employees. The average bed occupancy percentage of Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital in Isfahan was 57.30%, the average patient stay in the hospital was 4.07 days, the average hospital bed rotation was 51.40 times, and the average hospital bed rotation interval was 3.03 days.  Considering that the dominant style of hospital managers has been collaborative management style, there will be no relationship between their management style and the efficiency of the hospital.

The use of collaborative management style in Dr. Ali Shariati Hospital of Isfahan has not led to improvement of hospital efficiency. The commitment and stability of management, paying attention to the organizational maturity of employees, providing the background for collaborative management and training managers in this field can lead to the correct use of this management style or choosing the best management style for the organization.

Key words: leadership style, collaborative management, efficiency, organizational maturity, hospital

Introduction:

Management in reality Material and human resources are needed to achieve organizational goals in a way that is accepted by society (Lambert & Nagent, 1999. Organizations need effective and efficient managers and employees to be able to achieve their goals in the direction of all-round growth and development. The manager is at the head of the organization as the official representative of the organization to create coordination and increase productivity. The success of the organization in achieving the goals depends on how the manager applies management and effective leadership styles. The manager in the role of leading the organization can choose different styles in directing human resources. Appropriate behavior of the manager in any organization creates a strong spirit and motivation in the employees and increases their satisfaction with their job and profession. Using the correct leadership style, managers can increase the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of their employees and the productivity of their organization.

Leadership as one of the important duties of managers is the science and art of influencing people in order to achieve goals. The style of leadership or management determines the atmosphere, culture and strategies governing the organization. Leadership style is a set of managers' attitudes, traits and skills that are formed based on the four factors of the value system, trust in employees, leadership tendencies, and a sense of security in ambiguous situations (Mossadegh Rad, (2012). The leadership style of managers indicates how they interact with employees under their supervision (Perra, 2000).

statement of the problem:

The topic of leadership has been the focus of many researchers. The results of these studies have led to the presentation and development of various leadership styles from authoritarian and collaborative styles. Different leadership styles include: authoritarian, anarchic, democratic, Consultative, collaborative, pragmatic, etc. It should be noted that a specific leadership style is not suitable for all situations. Therefore, a manager can choose different styles to lead his employees according to the culture of the organization and the maturity of the employees.In today's organizations, there is a greater need for employee participation in the management of the organization. In fact, changing the management style from autocratic management to collaborative management leads to the success of the organization as much as possible. The leadership style that leads to the group participation of employees and the formation of work groups leads to effective, efficient, regular and coordinated work (San Juan, 1998). In addition, the use of a supportive and collaborative leadership style leads to an increase in the joy of doing work among employees. Today, healthcare organizations are facing new challenges. Patients demand high quality services at the lowest possible price.  Meeting the needs and expectations of patients is becoming more difficult day by day. Therefore, managers should look for ways to effectively and efficiently provide services needed by patients (Clegg, 2000). Optimum provision of medical services and improvement of hospital processes is not possible without the participation of all human resources and the provision of continuous, desirable and effective services by them. Providing effective health and treatment services to the society depends to a large extent on the teamwork of health and treatment workers and the leadership and management style of these organizations (Sorrentino & Nelli, 1992).

In the health and treatment sector, the hospital is one of the important organizations providing health care services, which with its special facilities plays an essential role in the return of the physical and mental health of sick people in the community, the training of health and treatment specialists, medical research, and ultimately improving the level of community health. (Mossadegh Rad, 1383). Hospital managers are responsible for creating a work environment where high quality and cost effective health care is provided.

Research area:

From the perspective of the area used in this research, which includes employees, administrative personnel, management, patients and clients and their social behaviors in the hospital environment.

Research area :

The spatial domain in this research is all the people working in Shahid Ali Shariati Hospital.

The temporal domain of the research:

In terms of the time dimension, this research was carried out in the academic year 90-91.

Importance and necessity of the research:

Research has shown that the leadership style of managers is related to the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of organizations (Frank & et.al, 1982, Choik Foong, 2001). In addition, there is a close relationship between the leadership style of managers, job satisfaction and the organizational commitment of employees (Dunham, 2000, Mowday & et.al, 1982). The percentage and average reduction of the patient's stay in the hospital and the interruption of bed circulation were 8.25 and 11.11%, which were statistically significant (Mossadegh Rad, 2013). The results of another research that was conducted in 63 nursing units in 4 hospitals in the United States indicated the fact that in the units that implemented the collaborative management style, there was a high level of solidarity between employees and a low level of stress. There was a job among the staff. This reduction of work stress had increased the quality of nursing services. Participatory management had also led to an increase in employee and patient satisfaction (Leveck and Jones, 1996).

Undoubtedly, the leadership style of managers is effective in correctly guiding employees towards organizational goals. Using the best leadership or management style will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the hospital.  Sufficient research has not been done in this field, especially in the country's healthcare organizations. The results of this research can lead to more awareness about the relationship between managers' leadership styles and hospitals' efficiency. More awareness in this field can lead to the use of the appropriate leadership style in order to increase the efficiency of hospitals.