This paper adopts an explanatory sequential mixed method design to explore the impact of decentralized (vs. centralized) leadership on cross-functional teams' resource exchanges at a long-term care facility in Canada. In the quantitative phase, social network analyses were used to examine the direct and moderated effects (via leader–follower relationship quality; LMX) of the presence of formal decentralized leaders on: (1) knowledge sharing, and (2) work hindrance networks within cross-functional healthcare teams. In the qualitative phase, team members were interviewed regarding the impact of their decentralized leaders. Collectively, the findings suggest that the presence of a decentralized leader may enhance knowledge sharing and safeguard against work hindrance behaviors in cross-functional healthcare teams. However, these effects are contingent on the situation (e.g., LMX quality and status-based hierarchies). Implications for research and healthcare practice are discussed.

本文采用解释性顺序混合方法设计，探讨分散（与集中）领导对加拿大长期护理机构跨职能团队资源交换的影响。在定量阶段，社会网络分析被用来检查正式分散领导者存在的直接和调节效应（通过领导者-追随者关系质量；LMX）：（1）知识共享，和（2）内部的工作障碍网络跨职能医疗团队。在定性阶段，就分散领导的影响采访了团队成员。总的来说，研究结果表明，分散领导者的存在可能会加强知识共享并防止跨职能医疗团队中的工作阻碍行为。然而，这些影响视情况而定（例如，LMX 质量和基于状态的等级制度）。讨论了对研究和医疗保健实践的影响。