Vuorovaikutus julkisen sairaalan johtoryhmäkokouksissa: Johtoryhmäjäsenten osallistumisen tarkastelua vuorovaikutuksen prosessianalyysin keinoin

Abstract

Management groups are an essential part of the management system in Finnish hospitals. Nevertheless, only a few empirical studies have, to date, focused on public sector management teams. This study aims to understand social interaction in management team meetings by describing 1) how management team members participate during meetings and 2) what types of participant roles are constructed during meetings. Three consecutive meetings of an operational area-level management team were videoed. The social interaction was analyzed using the Bales’ Interaction Process Analysis. The results show that interaction during these meetings is task-related and chairperson-centered. The members participate mainly by giving information and opinions, but also through express relational actions. Thus, participation mainly serves the functions of orientation and evaluation. The members’ roles are based on these functions and on the extent of their active participation. The role of the unit manager, as well as the head nurse, is that of an expert: they give reports concerning their own area. Personnel representatives participate very little. The study raises many questions for future research, especially in the areas of collaboration, consensus, and the management of arising conflicts.