TIJAB (The International Journal of Applied Business)
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2025): APRIL 2025

Can Virtual Leadership Work in Tanzanian Healthcare? Examining SME and Large Provider Practices

Mutalemwa, Darlene (Unknown)
Ntalindanya , Ernest Michael (Unknown)
Issa, Faisal (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
07 Apr 2025

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare organisations to adapt rapidly, propelling them into a virtual work environment. Objective: This study delves into the experiences of three hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, showcasing how leaders and their teams navigated this shift in diverse settings: two small and one large private hospital. Method: All 30 interviews generated insightful responses, but this small-scale study draws upon the 19 answers that best captured the core themes and findings from the conducted research. Results: Our results show that transitioning teams to the digital space presents challenges different from those of face-to-face teams, requiring leaders and followers to show agility. However, the research also suggests that virtual team members become more productive under the right conditions. Conclusion: Highlighting a gap in the literature, this study offers critical insights that deliver a glimpse of virtual work in Tanzanian hospitals from two small and one large public hospital. Keywords: COVID-19; Virtual work; Tanzanian SME Healthcare leadership; Tanzanian Large firm Healthcare Leadership; Team dynamics.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

TIJAB

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The International Journal of Applied Business (TIJAB) (eISSN: 2599-0705) is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original articles researching or documenting issues on applied business including, but not limited to, economics and business, taxation, banking, tourism and hospitality. It considers ...