Table 1 Results from the dimensions “Improvement effectiveness outcome” and “internal improvement processes” 27 items, n (%)

22. Overall, how satisfied are you with the progress that has been made in the work to develop the improvement idea during the past month

1 (1)

5 (6)

16 (17)

51 (55)

19 (21)

2.9 (0.8)

Quite a bit

24. How much does the improvement idea contribute to improving the work at your unit?

2 (2)

6 (7)

32 (35)

27 (29)

25 (27)

2.7 (1.0) / 3

Quite a bit

Far below (0)

Somewhat below (1)

As expected (2)

Somewhat above (3)

Far above (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

23. To what extent is your progress with the improvement idea below or above your original expectations?

2 (2)

6 (7)

45 (49)

35 (38)

4 (4)

2.4 (0.8)

As expected

Internal Improvement Processes (8 sub dimensions)

Improvement Uncertainty (n=92)

Very easy (0)

Quite easy (1)

Moderate (2)

Quite difficult (3)

Very difficult (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

2. How easy is it for you to know ahead of time what steps are necessary to develop the improvement idea?

1 (1)

35 (38)

45 (49)

11 (12)

0

1.7 (0.7)

Moderate

Not at all (0)

Once (1)

Every other week (2)

Every week (3)

Every day (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

7. How often in the past month did problems arise during development of the improvement idea?

42 (46)

27 (29)

13 (14)

9 (10)

1 (1)

0.917 (1.0) /1

Once

Resource scarcity (n=92)

How much must your improvement idea compete with other activities within your unit, when it comes to

Not at all (0)

Little (1)

Some (2)

Quite a bit (3)

A lot (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

35a. Economic resources?

42 (46)

23 (25)

16 (17)

7 (8)

4 (4)

1.0 (1.2)

Little

35b. Material, space, and equipment?

48 (52)

21 (23)

16 (17)

6 (7)

1 (1)

0.8 (1.0)

Not at all

35c. Attention from the executive level?

31 (34)

26 (28)

16 (17)

14 (15)

5 (5)

1.3 (1.2)

Little

35d. Personnel?

22 (24)

21 (23)

23 (25)

17 (18)

9 (10)

1.7 (1.3)

Some

35e. Time to work with the improvement idea?

4 (4)

16 (17)

24 (26)

28 (30)

20 (22)

2.5 (1.1)

Quite a bit

Standardization of procedures (n=92)

Very little (0)

Little (1)

Moderate (2)

Much (3)

Very much (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

3. To what extent is your work on the improvement idea supported by the methods used in the improvement program?

1 (1)

8 (9)

42 (46)

38 (41)

3 (3)

2.4 (0.7)

Moderate

Expectations of Rewards and Sanctions (n=92)

How likely is it that the following will occur if the goals of the improvement idea have been achieved:

Not likely (0)

Hardly likely (1)

Likely (2)

Very likely (3)

Totally likely (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

15a. Everyone involved, as a group, will be rewarded or recognized for their collective efforts

9 (10)

16 (17)

29 (32)

27 (29)

11 (12)

2.2 (1.2)

Likely

15b. Only some participants will be rewarded or recognized for their individual efforts

42 (46)

37 (40)

8 (9)

5 (5)

0

0.7 (0.8)

Hardly likely

How likely is it that the following will occur if the goals of the improvement idea have not been achieved:

16a. Everyone involved, as a group, will be reprimanded or told to “shape up” to improve their efforts.

27 (29)

34 (37)

20 (22)

9 (10)

2 (2)

1.2 (1.0)

Hardly likely

16b. Only some participants will be reprimanded or told to “shape up” to improve their efforts

47 (51)

37 (40)

8 (9)

0

0

0.6 (0.6)

Not likely

Improvement Group Leadership (n=92)

Absolutely do not agree (0)

Mostly do not agree (1)

Neutral (2)

Mostly agree (3)

Absolutely agree (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

10. The project leader of the improvement idea encourages the participants to take initiative

1 (1)

2 (2)

18 (20)

34 (37)

37 (40)

3.1 (0.9)

Mostly agree

11. The participants involved in the improvement idea are aware of their individual responsibilities

0

1 (1)

7 (8)

46 (50)

38 (41)

3.3 (0.7)

Mostly agree

12. The project leader for the improvement idea places great emphasis on getting the work done.

1 (1)

1 (1)

15 (16)

36 (39)

39 (42)

3.2 (0.8)

Mostly agree

13. The project leader has great confidence in the participants involved in the improvement idea

0

1 (1)

14 (15)

26 (28)

51 (55)

3.4 (0.8)

Absolutely agree

Not at all (0)

Little (1)

Some (2)

Quite a bit (3)

A lot (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

21. Do those involved in working with the improvement idea receive feedback from “improvement support”/their supervisor on how they can improve their work?

2 (2)

12 (13)

31 (34)

29 (32)

18 (19)

2.5 (1.0)

Quite a bit

Freedom to Express Doubts (n=92)

Absolutely do not agree (0)

Mostly do not agree (1)

Neutral (2)

Mostly agree (3)

Absolutely agree (4)

Mean (SD)

Median

14. To avoid causing disharmony I often feel I cannot say what I think about the work on the improvement idea.

60 (65)

17 (18)

7 (8)

6 (7)

2 (2)

0.6 (1.0)

Absolutely do not agree

Learning Encouragement (n=92)

Absolutely does not apply (0)

Mostly does not apply (1)

Neutral (2)

Mostly apply (3)

Absolutely applies(4)

Mean (SD)

Median

33. If a colleague tries something new and fails, this is viewed as something that could harm her/his future career in the county council.

31 (34)

24 (26)

36 (39)

1 (1)

0

1.1 (0.1)

Mostly does not apply

34. The county council prioritizes experimenting with new ideas.

5 (5)

11 (12)

54 (59)

20 (22)

2 (2)

2.0 (0.8)

Neutral

Decision Influence

How much influence have you had on each of the following decisions that might have been made during the past month?

No decision made * (0)

None (1)

Little (2)

Some (3)

Quite a bit (4)

A lot (5)

Mean (SD)

Median

6a. Preparing goals and measures for the improvement idea? (n=91)

1 (1)

0

6 (6)

7 (8)

43 (47)

35 (38)

4.2 (0.8)

Quite a bit

6b. Deciding which activities should be carried out within the improvement idea? (n=90)

2 (2)

0

4 (4)

8 (9)

42 (46)

36 (39)

4.2 (0.8)

Quite a bit

6c. Deciding on economic funds and resources for the improvement idea? (n=64)

28 (30)

39 (42)

13 (14)

6 (7)

2 (2)

4 (4)

1.7 (1.2)

None

6d. Recruiting colleagues to work with the improvement idea? (n=71)

21 (23)

21 (23)

9 (10)

10 (11)

18 (20)

13 (14)

2.9 (1.5)

Some