Organizational Behavior Chapter 1 Health Case Study

Please read the case on Health on pages 27-28 of your text and answer all three questions that follow the case.

Question 1 refers to learning outcome 1-2 (org effectiveness) which starts on page 17. There are four perspectives: open systems, org learning, HPWP and stakeholder. You should discuss two of these in your answer.

Selected Answer:

1. Organizational learning perfectly describes the application of lean management practices. The health organizations described in this case study have used intellectual capital, structural capital and relationship capital to improve the efficiencies of their everyday operations. By studying how the manufacturing industries cut out the waste they were able to utilize employees to analyze and lay out organizational procedures related to the production lines. They then were able to implement strategies such as reducing equipment and streamlining patient intake process they were able to increase the quality and efficiency of patient care.

HPWP also describes the objectives of the organizations discussed. Lean management is all about improving performance and quality but utilizing employees’ knowledge of the organizations functions and processes. HPWP involves employees in the decision making processes to improve work performance, strengthen employee motivation and give organizations the ability to adapt to changing environments.

2. I think lean management can ignore the stakeholders since it focuses more on internal processes and applications. While the health organizations described are ultimately benefiting the patients, companies like Toyota who use lean processes have been hurt due to lack in quality from making too many or the incorrect cuts in their systems. If a company is going to “cut the waste” they may need to recognizing who is externally benefiting (or not benefiting) from these changes as well since it may have an effect on their reputation.

3. Not all problems can...