Organizational Integrative Mechanisms And Adoption of Innovations by Nurses

In small hospitals a higher level of integrative mechanism use was related to increased nurse innovation adoption; however, in large hospitals the opposite was found.

Abstract

The relationship between organizational activities and structures that increase information flow (integrative mechanisms) and nurse adoption of innovations (research results) was studied using Rogers' theory of innovation diffusion. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant interaction effect between level of integrative mechanism use, institution size, and nurse adoption of innovations. In small hospitals a higher level of integrative mechanism use was related to increased nurse innovation adoption; however, in large hospitals the opposite was found. Of the five categories of integrative mechanisms identified, only Research Conduct and Publication were significantly related to innovation adoption, and then only in small hospitals. In large hospitals, Conference and Presentation, Position and Committee, and Publication categories were demonstrated to be significantly, but negatively, related to innovation adoption among nurses.