The Relationship between the First Line Managers’ Practices of Delegation Process and Their Time Management and Productivity among the Selected Health Sectors

Background: The ability to delegate safely and effectively is essential for all nurses;
however, it is vital for the nurses in a leadership position. Delegation is one of prime supports
to effective time management. The ability to manage time makes any job easier, improve
performance and increase productivity. Very little research related to this subject has been
done in health care settings in this country. The comparison of the results of the different
types of settings and samples will allow a better understanding of the relationship between
delegation process, time management and productivity and thus help to determine if
delegation process is worth the extra effort. Aim: The present study aimed to identify the
relationship between the first line managers’ practices of delegation process and their time
management and productivity among the selected health sectors. Methods: A convenient
sample of 89 first line managers was included in the study. This study was conducted at three
hospital affiliated to the following selected three sectors (1) University, (2) Private and
(3) Ministry of health and population (MOHP) sector. Data were collected by three
tools. First, productivity (Curtine, 1984), second one, time management questionnaire
(University Advising Center, 1999) and the last one, delegation process self assessment
(College of St. Scholastica, 2003). Results: The present study concluded that, there were a
highly statistically significant difference among the selected sectors regarding the practice
of the delegation process by the first line managers, their time management and
productivity. Also, First line managers’ age, years of experience and continuing
education were highly statistically significant correlated to their delegation, time
management, and productivity. As well as, there was a highly statistically significant
correlation between the delegation process which practiced by the first managers,
their time management and productivity. Conclusion: The first line managers’
understood the importance of practices of the delegation process and identified
that delegation process can be beneficial in their time management and
productivity in nursing practice. Implications and recommendations: Further
study should identify the barriers to effective delegation in different sectors.