Fitness for change and Alberta health care organizations : a management perspective

Abstract

What constitutes the definition of organizational effectiveness and the capabilities required for dealing with change among the Regional Health Authorities in Alberta was investigated. The perceptions of Regional Administrators and Medical Directors from across the province were measured in accordance to a dual methodology approach (survey plus case study interviews). The Survey of Organizational Fitness provided a means to acquire a measure of “fitness” along the key dimensions of environment; performance; capabilities and characteristics; levers for change; the capacity to change and learn; and strategic orientation in approaches to change (Theories E, EO or O). Theory E is based on the creation of economic value and Theory O on developing lasting organizational capabilities, the ideal objective is to integrate the two (Theory EO). The results indicate that although the majority of Regional Health Authorities perceive themselves as subscribing to a combined theoretical approach to change (Theory EO), those that subscribe solely to Theory E rate themselves as achieving overall higher levels of organizational effectiveness.