Investigating Managerial Qualities to Support Sustainable Intervention Effects in the Long Term

Abstract

It is crucial to understand how interventions can be designed and implemented in order to support successful and sustainable effects in the long term. Intervention management can be important in this regard, but we have limited knowledge on the managerial strategies that can help to sustain the effects of an intervention over time. In this paper, we present a qualitative study of an intervention that had a duration of five years. We carried out 11 in-depth interviews on the role and qualities of the manager in the intervention process and effects. Results from the intervention unit showed that an engaged line manager was essential for promoting employee motivation and involvement in the longer term, which was achieved through building empowerment and trust, establishing a work group, and use of some support by external consultants. In conclusion, this intervention indicated that building good intervention management is important for sustainable intervention effects.