First-line managers dealing with different management approaches.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Gerontology

Background:

• First-line managers (FLMs) occupy a critical intermediate position in elderly care organizations.
• Understanding FLM perceptions is vital for effective organizational functioning and employee well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how first-line managers in elderly care perceive their roles and the impact of differing management approaches.
• To investigate the intersection of central and local management within elderly care organizations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing secondary analysis of 15 interviews from a larger project on FLMs in elderly care.
• Focus on understanding the lived experiences and perceptions of FLMs.

Main Results:

• A majority of FLMs perceive significant differences in management approaches between local and central levels.
• These differences create struggles for FLMs, as the management system is perceived as unsupportive.
• Key issues include divergent foci between management levels and difficulties in influencing management conditions.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the need for better alignment between central and local management strategies in elderly care.
• Addressing these discrepancies can reduce managerial stress and improve job satisfaction for FLMs.
• Findings contribute to the discourse on sustainable management practices in the elderly care sector.