Exploring the Impact of Nurse Leadership Styles on Quality of Work Life and Efficiency in Shiraz Hospitals, Iran, 2024

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 1. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 2. Department of Industrial Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Health in Disasters and Emergencies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

10.30476/jhmi.2025.106257.1275

Abstract

Introduction:To examine the impact of nurse leadership styles on the quality of work life (QWL) and efficiency in Shiraz University Hospitals.
Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 40 head nurses and 180 nurses from 20 inpatient wards were surveyed. Data were collected using Walton’s standard QWL questionnaire, the Hersey-Blanchard leadership style questionnaire, and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).
Results: Transformational leadership (45%) was the most common style and was associated with higher QWL and efficiency. Regression analysis showed that transformational leadership had a significant positive effect on QWL (B=0.45, p<0.001) and efficiency (B=0.38, p<0.001). Laissez-faire leadership was associated with lower QWL and efficiency scores. Path analysis confirmed the mediating role of QWL in the impact of transformational leadership on efficiency. ANOVA and post-hoc tests further validated that transformational leadership significantly outperforms all other styles regarding efficiency. Transactional leadership also showed a moderate positive effect on efficiency (p = 0.03), but its impact on QWL was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:Transformational leadership improves QWL and efficiency in hospitals. Training in transformational leadership is recommended for head nurses to enhance staff well-being and operational performance. The limitations of the study  include its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, and potential lack of generalizability beyond Shiraz University Hospitals. Further research is suggested toexplore the long-term impacts of leadership styles and include patient outcomes and care quality metrics to provide a broader understanding of the leadership effectiveness in healthcare settings.
Keywords: Leadership Styles, Quality of Work Life , QWL, Hospital Efficiency,Inpatient Ward Performance

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Health Management & Information Science

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 April 2025

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