TOP MANAGEMENT TEAM CHARACTERISTICS AND INNOVATION IN NURSING-HOMES

This study examines how the demographic characteristics of the top man agement team in 236 nursing homes can affect the adoption of innovatio ns. The computerization of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) is the innovatio n we examine, and tenure, education, and involvement in a professional society are the demographic characteristics investigated. Controlling for 10 organizational and environmental factors, the results are gene rally significant for each of these demographic factors. However, the results for top managers of nonchain nursing homes show a greater asso ciation between these demographic factors and innovation than the resu lts for top managers of nursing homes belonging to a chain. We discuss these results in terms of their significance for innovation research, nursing homes, and top management.