Managerial support for learning at work: a qualitative study of first-line managers in elder care

• Published in: International journal of health care quality assurance incorporating Leadership in health services 2012-01, Vol.25 (4), p.273-287
• Main Author: Ellstrom, Eva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case studies; Elder care; Employees; Geriatric medicine; In care; Leadership; Learning; Line managers; Management development; managerial support; Managers; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; School environment; Socioeconomic factors; Studies; Work units; workplace learning; Workplaces
• ISSN: 1751-1879; 1366-0756; 1751-1887; 1751-1887
• DOI: 10.1108/17511871211268919

Purpose - The aim of the present study is to explore the meaning of managerial support for learning and development in the workplace. The overall research question concerns how first-line managers in elder care perceive and understand their mission and tasks and how they in practice handle issues of co-workers' learning and development.Design methodology approach - The study was designed as a multiple-case study including eight first-line mangers in eight care units. Data were collected through interviews and observations.Findings - The study demonstrates the variation that exists concerning how first-line managers understand and enact their tasks. Specifically, it is possible to distinguish four qualitatively different patterns concerning how the managers acted and interacted with their co-workers.Research limitations implications - The empirical generalisability of the results is limited by its character as a multiple-case study of eight managers in eight different work units. At the same time, the strength of a multiple-case study lies in its potential for making analytic generalisations, that is, for identifying theoretically meaningful examples and patterns across a number of cases.Practical implications - The paper suggests a need for management development programs that promote not only a broader understanding of the task as a manager of elder care, but also knowledge about and skills in leading and organising workplace learning and development.Originality value - This study adds to the limited knowledge of how first-line managers in care work understand and deal with learning and developmental issues in the workplace.