Human competency as a catalyzer of innovation within health and nursing care through a perspective of complex adaptive systems

The aim of this article is to analyze some features of nursing manager competencies as a potential agent of innovation through a perspective of complex adaptive systems. To achieve the objective, an empirical quantitative analysis of the data obtained through structured questionnaires was conducted to identify the key aspects of perceptions related to competencies. The results demonstrated a disparity between what nursing managers perceived as “my strength” and what they perceived as “critical in adopting innovation” with respect to competencies. This study empirically identified key competencies relevant to nursing managers in adopting innovation through a perspective of encompassing complex adaptive systems. The nursing managers surveyed tended to consider their strengths included interpersonal understanding, teamwork, self-control and concern for order. From a viewpoint of innovation adoption, there is room for improvement for nurses to develop such competencies as initiative, team leadership, conceptual thinking, analytical thinking, and organizational awareness.