The relationship of technostructural and interpersonal environments to performance and productivity of nursing work groups: An exploratory study

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of the technostructural and interpersonal environments with performance and productivity of nursing work groups comprised of registered nurses who work in an acute care hospital. This exploratory study used a correlational design. Independent variables derived from the technostructural and interpersonal environments were technostructural congruence, cohesion, and perceived power. The dependent variables were performance and productivity of nursing work groups. A convenience sample of 21 nursing work groups from one hospital were asked to participate in the study. Of the 21 groups, twelve nursing work groups (57%) were included in the analysis. Data were collected on the following questionnaires: (a) a demographic questionnaire, (b) the Leatt and Schneck measure of technology on nursing units, (c) the Alexander measure of nursing unit structure, (d) the cohesion scale from the Work Group Functioning Module of the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire, and (e) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale. Also, the researcher collected the following: (a) performance data as measured by the Rush-Medicus Nursing Process Methodology, and (b) productivity data as measured by the hospital and reported per nursing work group. Multivariate regression techniques were utilized to address the hypotheses; supplemental analyses were performed to assess relationships between the variables as specified in the theoretical framework for this study. Technostructural congruence, and technology as the predominant factor in the technostructural congruence score, explained 48% of the variance in the work group mean scores for performance ({dollar}Rsp2{dollar} =.48, p =.0123). As there were no statistically significant relationships between technostructural congruence, cohesion, and perceived power, and performance and productivity, the hypotheses were not supported. Negative relationships were reported between performance and technostructural congruence (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.6938, p =.0123) and technology as the predominant factor in the technostructural congruence score (r = {dollar}-{dollar}.7050, p =.0104). Replication of this study in multiple settings is recommended to enhance understanding of the nursing work environment.