Strategic Leadership in Healthcare: The Role of Collective Change Agents in Closing the Gap of Healthcare Disparities

Abstract

Healthcare management research overlooks the role of collective leadership actions in alleviating health disparities. However, exploring the strategic actions of collective leaders can provide the field with a different viewpoint of how individuals and organizations partner to solve complex problems such as health disparities. To examine this issue, this paper uses prenatal health disparities as a backdrop. We present our analysis of multiple case study data of nonprofit and healthcare organizations. Through our analysis of this case study data, we develop an understanding of collective leadership and strategies they employ as change agents. In addition, the case studies highlight the importance of collective leadership as of process of learning, the diffusion of knowledge across organizational boundaries, and the empowerment of stakeholders.