(a.) Problem Statement

Staff morale or workplace culture is a workforce phenomenon that certainly, on occasion, challenges

every organisation (Day, Minichello & Madison, 2006). Morale is a formidable indication of

organisational well-being and efficiency (Brode, 2012). The consideration of morale is imperative as it

can have substantial and widespread impacts and consequences for an organisation (Day et al., 2006).

So often, organisational culture can be deep-seated and challenging to shift. (Brunges & Foley-Brinza,

2014). Attaining, supporting, and maintaining workforce culture is one of the many tests associated

with leadership (Brode, 2012).

Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors can influence staff morale. Professional support, leadership traits

and management styles, which are all extrinsic factors, are the leading themes in poor morale amongst

nurses and healthcare workers. By conducting a literature review, these factors can be explored and

analysed. The significance of morale has been thoroughly documented in nursing literature, however,

there are no systematic reviews pertaining to how differing factors of leadership generate workplace

culture influence (Stapleton, Henderson, Creedy, Cooke, Patterson, Alexander, Haywood, & Dalton,

2007).

(b.) The Systematic Review Type

The most appropriate systematic review typology for this topic of research is an experiential

(qualitative) review, with the emphasis on evaluating nurses' perceptions of leadership traits that

influence staff morale. Munn, Stern, Aromataris, Lockwood, & Jordan (2018) convey that the question

format guides its development, therefore influencing the type of review required. As the research

question is specifically examining the subjective experience of nurses' perceptions, a non-positivist

approach is best suited (Munn et al., 2018).

(c.) The Structured Question

What factors of leadership do nurses perceive as influential on staff morale?

(d.) The Question Format

The PICo format, in this instance, is employed to drive the formation of the question and examine the

population’s subjective perception of the phenomenon of significance within a particular environment

(Munn et al., 2018).

Population – nurses

Phenomenon of Interest – factors of leadership

Context – influential on staff morale

(e.) Justification of Question Format

In guaranteeing that primarily an appropriate question i ssolicited, and that it is associated with the

issue, this stipulates the foundation for retrieving the material from diverse areas, (Munn et al, 2018).

Submitting the formulated question using the PICo technique, is a methodical formula which identifies

the problem statement and makes sure all sections of the question will augment evidence-based

searching of the research (Milner & Cosme, 2017). Munn et al (2018) highlights the magnitude of

generating a well-structured and precise question to advance with collecting applicable documentation

on a subject for additional study or employing a practice modification or guideline. The question

criteria, population, phenomenon of interest, and context guarantee that the search of the primary

literature is thorough, and recognises bias while developing the systematic review, (Pollock & Berge,

2018). The aim of this critical literature review is to identify and explore the factors of leadership that

influence the morale of nurses.

(f.) Reference List

Brode, A. M. (2012). The leadership role in organizational morale: A case study (Order No. 3490498).

Available from ProQuest Central. (916923673). Retrieved from http://ezproxy.scu.edu.au/

login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/docview/916923673?accountid=

16926

Brunges, M. & Foley-Brinza, C. (2014). Projects for Increasing Job Satisfaction and Creating a Healthy

Work Environment. AORN Journal, 100 (6), 670-681. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2014.01.029

Day, G. E., Minichello, V, & Madison, J. (2006). Nursing morale: what does the literature reveal?

Australia Health Review, 30 (4), 516-524.

Hoffman, T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. (Eds.). (2017). Evidence-based practice across the health

professions (3rd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.

Milner, K. A., & Cosme, S. (2017). The PICO Game: An Innovative Strategy for Teaching Step 1 in

Evidence‐Based Practice. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 14(6), 514-516.

doi:10.1111/wvn.12255

Munn, Z., Stern, C., Aromataris, E., Lockwood, C., & Jordan, Z. (2018). What kind of systematic

review should I conduct? A proposed typology and guidance for systematic reviewers in the

medical and health sciences. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18 (1), 1-9.

doi:10.1186/s12874-017-0468-4

Pollock, A., & Berge, E. (2018). How to do a systematic review. International Journal of Stroke, 13

(2), 138-156. doi:10.1177/1747493017743796

Stapleton, P., Henderson, A., Creedy, D. K., Cooke, M., Patterson, E., Alexander, H., Haywood, A., &

Dalton, M. (2007). Boosting morale and improving performance in the nursing setting. (15),

811-816. https://doi-org.ezproxy.scu.edu.au/10.1111/j.1365-2934.2007.00745.x|