A Case Study Of Whitlam Memorial Hospital (Wmh) †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Case Study Of Whitlam Memorial Hospital (Wmh). Answer: Introduction Organizational structure is crucial to the success of health organizations especially since they are located in a complex business environment where patients are knowledgeable on their current situations however, it plays a big role in enabling mission and vision statements outlined by an organization which is the core for their goals and objectives (Harper, 2015). It guides the employees, leaders, and stakeholders in the decision-making process that will mirror the purpose and success of the organization. Moreover, an organizations structure will align the employees, leaders, and stakeholders in an organization with their key duties that will lead to their aims and objectives (Zingg, et, al, 2015). As describes in the case study, Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH) started out as a 130-bed community center a decade ago, its business environment has constantly been changing over the years, especially increase in population. The hospital has to restructure its organization structure to ca ter for the needs of the community, there will be an increase in bed capacity to 250 and with an increase in the capacity for community-based clinics in the specialties such as cancer, pediatric, cardiovascular, renal services, trauma services, aged care and community services. Organization structures are crucial to the success of healthcare organization but choosing the right structure that will suit the organizations mission and vision is essential. Therefore, this paper will look at the current organizational structure currently in use by the medical center while analyzing its strengths and limitations while identifying a suitable structure that will link up with the mission and vision of Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH). Organisational Structure (Wmh) An organizational structure could be described as the system used to define an organizations hierarchy. it defines how an organization operates and putting it on the track to achieve its goals and objectives. An organizations mission and visions are strategically important to its success in the business environment, it creates a foundation where members of an organization are required to underline their activities to mirror their goals and objectives and must linkup up with the organizational structure. A vision statement of an organization is the future intention of an organization. It generally motivates employees by making them feel part of the organization. Missions statements of an organization simply define the purpose or justification for the existence of the organizations, it acts as a foundation for the decision-making process. Mission and vision statements will tend to influence the structure of the organization by laying a foundation for the organization to follow to the l etter Traditional functional (bureaucratic) organizational structure The daily activities and communication channels of organizations are influenced or affected by the structure of an organization, therefore there is need to consider the type of structure used carefully. Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH), currently uses the traditional functional (bureaucratic) organizational structure which will not be efficient with the constant complexity of its business environment. A traditional bureaucratic organizational structure is usually characterized by thin and tall organizational charts which are centrally based. This simply means that the decision-making process is burdened on themanagement level, however, it encourages a cultured focused organization where rules and practices are set and allowing close supervision of controlled methodologies. Skills sets are grouped into functional departments such as accounting, administration and ICT support and so on. However, the traditional bureaucratic organizational structure has its limitations and benefits. Mana ger at the top of the pyramid is able to exercise huge control over the organization's strategic decision and its implementation process (Marquis Huston, 2015). Therefore, time used in making crucial decisions is short and it proves to be of quality uses as it relies on the skill set of the top-level managers. Its departmentalization allows the gathering of a specific skill set that allows efficiency in activities pertaining to the specific department. This structure has also its limits, it discourages creativity and innovation in the organization through the limiting the decision-making process to thetop management level allowing a form of dictatorialmanagement style .an employee in such an organization will have a hard time airing any idea or grievances that may arise. This results in employees not having a conducive work environment leading to reduced productivity of an organization Matrix organizational structure Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH), currently uses the traditional functional (bureaucratic) organizational structure which will not be efficient with the constant complexity of its business environment. Its current expansion to 250 beds and the introduction of new products and services targeting different audience will be overwhelming and may lead to reduced quality services offered destroying its reputation. How can this be avoided? well, this is through changing of its organizational structure to matrix organizational structure (Sullivan,2013). This organizational structure is mainly characterized by dividing authority by functional area and project-based area. Therefore, employees at Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH) will have to answer to two immediate authoritative figures, this will be essential for the hospitals especially in its expansion to different medical fields that will need immediate supervisions and scrutiny. A functional supervisor will be in charge of the hospital funct ions divisions such as marketing their medical products and services and ICT support. The project-based supervisor will be in charge of the projects or activities such as diagnosing and treatment of patients Benefits of matrix organizational structure Efficient Information Exchange: there close working relationship between various departments in the organization that allows the flow of ideas and information. solving of issues that are affecting the organizations tends to be even easier, faster and efficient in the long-run. This is due to the presence of effective lines of communication that allow quick and efficient decision making. there is also the collaboration of departmental strategies within the organizations that allows managers or authority figures to respond instantly. This is suitable for Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH) since accessing a patients data who has undergone treatment through various phases in different departments, is crucial to the successful treatment of the patient. It Increases Motivation: A democratic leadership style is encouraged in this organizational structure through giving the subordinates of the organization a chance to share their ideas for the final decision is made by the managers (Haux, Winter, Ammenwerth Brigl, 2013). This allows a conducive working environment for all employees with leads to increase in quality of products and services offered while aligning with the core objectives, mission, and vision statements. Employees in the Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH) will be motivated to work efficiently in their respective department knowing that their views and ideas in the medical world are always considered by themanagement level for the benefit of their patients (Dubois et, al 2015). The breadth of Skill-it is often hard for an employee in an organizational structure such as functional to benefits from skills and expertise of other areas. However, when it comes to the matrix, this is possible. Through the interaction of employees from different departments, they can broaden their skills easily that would assist them in solving particular tasks employees in WMH will be in a position to broaden their skills set in other file that will prove crucial in administering their products and services to their consumers (Nordmeyer, 2015, March 08). Flexibility-matrix organizational structure allows the maximum use of the organizations resources efficiently without any wastage or misuse as the case for functional structure, resources are shared widely through departmentalization of the organization which enables cost saving in the organization. this will assist Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH) in cost saving and direct funds where its actually needed ( Akrani, 2014, February 23). Limitations of matrix organizational structures It Has Internal Complexity: matrix organization structure is complex which increases with the size and increase in diversification of products and services. Some employees may be confused with mixed loyalty since there a dual authority that if not properly used could cause a rift in the organization slowing its productivity in the long run (McNaught, Shaw, (2017). Cost: theres an increase in expenses that may arise from cross-functional teams where employees from different departments posses an additional set of skills. This will generally increase the wages of such employees since the individual will function both in the matrix organizational and the functional area of expertise. The increase of authoritative figures for each function and areas of expertise will also result in an increase in expenses (Ashkenas, Ulrich, Jick, Kerr, 2015). Conflict: there may rise conflicts in the organizations due to two authoritative figures which will lead to mixed reactions if there is a power struggle. this may lead to a cross-functional employee receiving orders from one end that are contradicted by the other end. This may lead to an unconducive work environment that will lead to employee turnover. there is a higher possibility shifting responsibility through of blame games between the two authoritative figures that may arise when there is a failure in certain activities (Nordmeyer, 2015, March 08) Conclusion In conclusion, this essay has identified the current organization structure that is currently being used by the Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH). The organizational structure is the traditional functional (bureaucratic) organizational structure which will not be efficient with the constant complexity of its business environment. Its benefits and limitations have been described in the essay. Matrix organizational structure has been suggested in the essay that will handle the complexity of the business environment of the new renovated Whitlam Memorial Hospital (WMH). The shortcoming and benefits of the organization have been highlighted while illustrating the suitability to the organization (Ginter, 2018). Reference Akrani, G. (2014, February 23). Matrix Organisation - Meaning Features Advantages Limitations. Retrieved April 07, 2018, from Ashkenas, R., Ulrich, D., Jick, T., Kerr, S. (2015). The boundaryless organization: Breaking the chains of organizational structure. John Wiley Sons. Dubois, C. A., D'amour, D., Tchouaket, E., Clarke, S., Rivard, M., Blais, R. (2013). Associations of patient safety outcomes with models of nursing care organization at unit level in hospitals.International Journal for Quality in Health Care,25(2), 110-117. Ginter, P. M. (2018). The strategic management of health care organizations. John Wiley Sons. Harper, C. (2015).Organizations: Structures, processes and outcomes. Routledge. Haux, R., Winter, A., Ammenwerth, E., Brigl, B. (2013). 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