The Challenge of Leadership Development at a Health Research Organization in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Health research organizations are multifaceted complex institutions that comprise of a large number of health research professionals that need to work collaboratively to ensure high quality data and knowledge sharing of health focused research in order to preserve and prolong the lives of the public. Studies have revealed that majority of the problems within the health research systems are due to poor communication and leadership. In an attempt to assist a health research organization in Johannesburg, facing leadership development challenges the study employed a qualitative approach to better understand the internal challenges. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with individuals in leadership positions within the organization. The data collected was then transcribed and thematically analyzed to better understand the organizational challenges focusing on self-preparedness, organizational structure and human resource strategies that affect leadership development within the organization. The data revealed that the organization has no intentional strategies with regards to the leadership development of the health research professionals that it employs. Recommendations that highlighted the need for continuous self-reflection and improvement were advised on the basis that the organizational structure and human resource strategies allow for the provision of these leadership development opportunities to the emerging health research leaders within the organization.