An Emerging Integrated Middle-Range Theory on Asian Women's Leadership in Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Organizational Behavior
• Cross-Cultural Studies

Background:

• Asian cultures often exhibit patriarchal values, influencing leadership experiences differently compared to Western contexts.
• Existing leadership theories inadequately address the unique development and experiences of nursing leaders in Asian cultures.
• A gap exists in theoretical frameworks for understanding women's leadership within the nursing profession in Asia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an emerging integrated middle-range theory specifically for Asian women's leadership in nursing.
• To provide a theoretical foundation that reflects the realities of nursing leadership in Asian cultural contexts.

Main Methods:

• An integrative approach was employed for theory development.
• Key sources included Bolman and Deal's leadership frames, extensive literature reviews, and case studies from five Asian countries.

Main Results:

• The developed theory comprises two primary domains: leadership frames and leadership contexts.
• Leadership frames encompass human resources/networks, structure/organization, national/international politics, and symbols.
• Leadership contexts are defined by cultural, sociopolitical, and gendered dimensions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed theory offers a framework for understanding nursing leadership within Asian cultural contexts.
• It provides essential direction for current and future nurse leaders navigating a globalized world.
• This framework supports the advancement of nursing leadership development tailored to Asian women's experiences.