Studying the relationships between authentic leadership, structural empowerment, and civility in the palliative care sector in Portugal

Purpose This paper aims to propose a model studying the relationship of authentic leadership (AL), structural empowerment (SE) and civility in the palliative care sector. This model proposes SE as a mediator between AL and civility. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 213 employees working in five major public palliative care hospitals in central Portugal. The study sample was predominantly female (80.3%) and the response rate was 42.6%. Variables were measured using the Authentic Leadership Inventory, Workplace Civility Scale and Conditions of Work Effectiveness Questionnaire II scales. Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation analysis in SPSS was used to test the hypothesized model. Findings Results suggest that AL has a significant positive direct relationship with both SE and civility. Furthermore, SE demonstrated to play a partial mediation effect between AL and civility. Practical implications This study may be of use for healthcare administration encouraging the development of AL, suggesting that the more leaders are seen as authentic, the more employees will perceive they have access to workplace empowerment structures and a civil environment. Originality/value Considering the mainstream literature in healthcare management, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to date to integrate the relation of AL, SE and civility in the palliative care sector. Further, the research model has not previously been introduced when considering the mediating role structural empowerment can play between AL and civility.

Optimizing authentic leadership

Purpose Personality is important in determining the effectiveness of authentic leadership. Organizations can optimize performance of such leaders by focusing on developing the most influential characteristics of the Big Five personality traits framework. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Personality is important in determining the effectiveness of authentic leadership. Organizations can optimize performance of such leaders by focusing on developing the most influential characteristics of the Big Five personality traits framework. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Leadership in Tourism

This chapter proposes to discuss the application of authentic leadership as the ‘vehicle' forward for tourism. Specifically, how authentic leaders in the tourism industry can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and why they are important to the Tasmanian tourism industry. As such, the authors propose the research question: How can authentic leadership enable the sustainable development of tourism in Tasmania? This chapter commences by exploring tourism in Tasmania and the related leadership gap found in the industry, followed by a brief explanation of our critical review method. The literature review then examines how tourism, a diverse industry, has the potential to contribute to the United Nation's SDGs. The authors aim to demonstrate how sound authentic leadership behaviours among tourist vendors facilitate ethical employment practices and economic growth in Tasmania. Finally, the chapter explores the possible implications of a synthesis of authentic leadership and sustainable development in the context of Tasmania.

Succession in Family Business Through Authentic Leadership

Family businesses are the kind of organizations that are characterized by overlapping systems of ownership, management, governance, and family values. In family firms, the family is the main asset of the business, and family members are strictly bound to the firm. Due to the dominance of a specific family, the success of the company is closely linked to the proper administration of the duality in the industry, the existence of family and business simultaneously. This fact distinguishes family firms from other companies. Furthermore, managerial and ownership priorities of the owner family are maintained through intergenerational succession. And, the existence of multiple stakeholders and their conflicting demands necessitate a transparent and authentic leadership approach in this delicate process. In this chapter, it is proposed that in family firms, intergenerational succession is more convenient and less painful, in case an authentic leader who gives importance to high levels of awareness, transparency, and morality is in power.