Contextual factors affecting learning-oriented leadership in healthcare: a case study.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Contextual factors affecting learning-oriented leadership in healthcare: a case study.
Authors: Lørum RM; Department of Continous Improvement, Ostfold County Hospital, Gralum, Norway.; Department of Service, Management, and Logistics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden., Eriksson H; Department of Service, Management, and Logistics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.; University West , Trollhättan, Sweden., Smith F; Department of Service, Management, and Logistics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.; Regional Cancer Centre West , Gothenburg, Sweden.
Source: Journal of health organization and management [J Health Organ Manag] 2026 Jun 09; Vol. 40 (4), pp. 684-704.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Emerald Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101179473 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1758-7247 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14777266 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Health Organ Manag Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Bradford, West Yorkshire, England : Emerald, c2003-
MeSH Terms: Delivery of Health Care*/organization & administration , Leadership* , Learning*, Organizational Case Studies ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Qualitative Research ; Interviews as Topic
Abstract: Purpose: To explore how contextual factors affect the practice of learning-oriented leadership in fragmented healthcare systems.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative case study using a participatory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured focus groups and interviews with leaders across hospital levels. Thematic analysis was applied.
Findings: Four contextual factors were identified: (1) multiple external drivers (why), (2) diverse actors and perspectives (who), (3) emergent, unpredictable change (how) and (4) organizational resources and support (what). The study refines the learning-oriented leadership framework in fragmented healthcare systems by emphasizing (1) cross-boundary leadership, (2) contradiction management, (3) leading for organizational learning under resource constraints and (4) differentiated leadership roles across levels.
Originality/value: By integrating empirical insights with expansive learning theory, the study advances the learning-oriented leadership framework and offers strategies for leadership and policy in complex healthcare systems.
(© Emerald Publishing Limited.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Expansive learning; Fragmented healthcare systems; Healthcare leadership; Inter-organizational learning; Learning-oriented leadership; Organizational learning
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20251006 Date Completed: 20260613 Latest Revision: 20260613
Update Code: 20260615
DOI: 10.1108/JHOM-03-2025-0151
PMID: 41047895
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1758-7247
DOI:10.1108/JHOM-03-2025-0151