A personal network approach to the study of nurse champions of innovation and their innovation projects’ spread

Abstract

Aims: To develop and test the relationship between nurse champions' personal social networks and innovation success in terms of spread. Design: A cross sectional. Method(s): Data were collected on 94 nurse champions at three medium-large tertiary medical centres from 2015-2016. Data from champions on their personal network were assessed via a standardized and acceptable three-step network survey. Success in terms of innovation spread was assessed via perceived extent of spread. Network structural and relational characteristics were depicted by level of spread. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess the relationship between network characteristics and innovation spread.

Nurse champions as street-level bureaucrats: Factors which facilitate innovation, policy making, and reconstruction

“…A champion’s social network comprises all the counterparts that are related to the champion, including nurses within and outside the ward, other health professionals, managers and administrators, relatives, friends, and colleagues ( Luz et al, 2021 ). Social network theory reviews the web of connections the ego holds with other members of the network (i.e., alters) as well as the structures and relationships among the network members ( Borgatti and Foster, 2003 ; Valente, 2010 ; Halgin and Borgatti, 2012 ; Luz et al, 2021 ).…”

“…A champion’s social network comprises all the counterparts that are related to the champion, including nurses within and outside the ward, other health professionals, managers and administrators, relatives, friends, and colleagues ( Luz et al, 2021 ). Social network theory reviews the web of connections the ego holds with other members of the network (i.e., alters) as well as the structures and relationships among the network members ( Borgatti and Foster, 2003 ; Valente, 2010 ; Halgin and Borgatti, 2012 ; Luz et al, 2021 ). The network structures identify the resources that champions can access and develop because of the structural characteristics of their networks; whereas network relationships describe the resources that champions can access due to the quality of relationships with other members, who are termed “alters” ( Nahapiet and Ghoshal, 1998 ; Ansari et al, 2018 ).…”

“…A prevalent, well-studied, structural characteristic of the ego’s (i.e., the champion’s) network is the network’s density, namely the level of connectedness or cohesion among alters ( Borgatti et al, 2014 ; Ansari et al, 2018 ; Luz et al, 2021 ). High-density—specifically closed, structured, and constrained networks, favor easy interaction, communication, and cooperation between members and enables loyalty, familiarity, and shared experiences among them ( Luz et al, 2021 ). It is possible, however, that this may come at the cost of obstructing alternative sources of influence, which is absolutely necessary for radical innovation ( Yan and Guan, 2018 ).…”

“…A champion establishes his/her leadership through three categories of behaviors: showing enthusiasm about and confidence in the success of an innovation; network building by getting the right people involved; and persisting under adversity ( Howell, 2005 ; Luz et al, 2019 ). Thus, in order for nurse champions to become influential advocates of an innovation, they have to be well-connected to people and resources of the organization ( Luz et al, 2021 ).…”

The role of champions in leading domestic violence and abuse practice improvement in health care: A scoping review

“…Champions are also context-specific and have a regular presence at the point of intervention (Flanagan et al, 2018). Evidence suggests that the influence of champions is more likely to be characterized by knowledge, trust and steadfast focus upon collective action, which builds upon social ties and close proximity (Luz et al, 2020).…”