Implementation leadership: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the concept of implementation leadership (IL) in health care and nursing literature.

Background: Implementation leadership has emerged as a type of leadership that is lacking but required for the successful implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). A concept analysis of IL can help identify, clarify and apply this concept to inform strategies for nursing leadership development.

Method: A concept analysis using Rodger's evolutionary method identified attributes of IL, and the context in which it is expressed including antecedents, consequences, references and surrogate terms. Forty-two articles were analysed following a Boolean search of MEDLINE and CINAHL databases.

Results: Implementation leadership is a specific and strategic approach to leadership characterized by a set of influencing behaviours leading to positive outcomes for the implementation of EBPs.

Conclusion: The concept analysis describes an evolving term that requires further clarification. This analysis contributes to an expanding knowledge base for capacity-building strategies for EBP implementation in nursing and health care.

Implications for nursing management: Effective IL, specifically in nurse managers, may be key in facilitating the implementation process for future successes. Nursing managers can build on a foundation of general leadership practices and consider the role of other members of the nurse leadership team in IL.

Keywords: concept analysis; evidence-based practice; implementation; nursing leadership.