Workplace Upward Networking Between Affective Leadership and Voice Behavior

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Healthcare Leadership

Background:

• Nurses' voice behavior is often limited by psychological safety, leadership support, and organizational climate.
• Limited research exists on upward management mechanisms influencing clinical nurses' voice behavior.
• This study addresses the gap by examining workplace upward networking as a mediator.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the mediating role of workplace upward networking between affective leadership and clinical nurses' voice behaviors.
• To understand how affective leadership influences nurses' willingness to voice concerns.
• To explore strategies for enhancing nurses' voice behavior in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
• Purposeful sampling included 639 nurses from primary hospitals in Hangzhou.
• Validated scales measured demographic information, affective leadership, voice behavior, and workplace upward networking.

Main Results:

• Workplace upward networking significantly mediated the relationship between affective leadership and nurses' voice behavior.
• Affective leadership explained 37% of the variation in workplace upward networking.
• Affective leadership and workplace upward networking together explained 61% of the variation in voice behavior.

Conclusions:

• Findings support a nursing management model emphasizing affective leadership and upward management strategies.
• Cultivating affective leadership behaviors is crucial for encouraging nurses to voice concerns.
• Enhancing upward management strategies can foster innovation and improve safety by promoting nurses' voice behavior.