A programme theory for followership development for nurses working in a hospital

The Boolean search strings used were <i>“</i>Develop*” OR “activit*” OR “program*” OR “train*” OR “intervention” AND “Followership” OR “Follower<i>”</i>. The literature search generated the context-mechanisms-outcomes configurations that explain how and why followership development occurs (or does not) in organisations.

The final program theory comprised three context-mechanism-outcome configurations. Followership development occurred within contexts of organizational intentionality, transparency, and inclusivity, and in the presence of leaders with non-hierarchical views of followership. Mechanisms included creating opportunities for reflection on followership, using various teaching and learning methods, and raising awareness of negative stereotypes about followers.