Managerial power bases and its relationship to influence tactics and conflict management styles: Bedside nurses' perspective

Abstract

Background

Having robust power sources and employing effective influence tactics are essential leadership skills for nurse managers in managing human resources, providing quality care, and managing workplace conflict among nurses.

Aims

The present study aimed to investigate how bedside nurses perceived their nurse managers' power bases, influence tactics, and conflict management styles. Furthermore, the study investigated the relationship among power bases, influence tactics, and conflict management styles.

Methods

A descriptive correlational study was conducted at the inpatient care unit of a Saudi hospital. A convenient sample of n = 230 nurses completed the Power Base scale, Influence Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ-R), and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI-II).

Results

Nurses believed their managers were most likely to use referent, legitimate, and expert sources to exercise their power; appreciation and consultation tactics to influence others; and an integrative style to manage conflict. Significant positive correlations were found between the perceived overall power bases and each of the influence behaviors and conflict management styles (r = .466, r = .383, p < .05, respectively). The values of the regression coefficient of power bases significantly contribute to the prediction of 67.8% and 42.2% of the explained variance of influence behaviors and conflict management styles, respectively. In addition, influence behaviors can play a mediating role in this prediction.

Linking Evidence to Action

Nurse managers should be able to demonstrate the benefit of controlling a wide range of power bases and know how to use influence behaviors and conflict management styles skillfully in each situation to achieve desired goals.