Organizational Culture: Life or Death

Case 2.1: Organizational Culture: Life or Death

Summary:

Studies have revealed that the key feature of a person's success at an organization is how much their work habits match the organization for which they are employed. Eleven hospitals continuously deliver therapy in order to restore blood flow to heart attack patients in 90 minutes or less. These hospitals are continuing to save lives by being able to provide such efficient service. Many of the nation's hospitals do not provide service as quickly as the nations guidelines suggest. After researchers interviewed the eleven hospitals with the speedy service, it was discovered that the hospitals were able to maintain such success because they were well organized, flexible enough to deal with setbacks, the teams were able to function together, and the culture rewarded quality improvements. All of these successful hospitals shared the same core values, were committed to reducing the delays throughout the process, provided real-time data feedback to measure success, and had innovative protocols and flexibility in refining their protocols.

Questions:

1. What values appear to be driving the doctors and nurses in the hospitals to treat heart attack patients?

The eleven hospitals continuously utilize 90 minutes or less to deliver therapy in order to restore blood flow to heart attack patients. The values that appear to drive the doctors and nurses in the hospitals to treat the heart attack patients are their organization, their ability to reward high quality performance, being flexible enough to deal with setbacks, and the functionality of the team. All of these successful hospitals shared the same core values, were committed to reducing the delays throughout the process, provided real-time data feedback to measure success and had innovative protocols and flexibility in refining their protocols. Without these values it would not be feasible for the hospital to maintain their success and reputation of delivering therapy to restore blood flow to heart attack patients in only 90 minutes or less. This huge accomplishment can only be achieved when the foundation and core values of an organization are strong.

2. Why must a person's work habits match the team culture in the hospitals depicted above?

According to the case study, a main contributor to employees' success is how closely an employee's work habits match the culture of the organization in which they are employed. Therefore, it is important for a person's work habits to match the team culture of the hospitals depicted in the case study because it helps to make the culture stronger. The more employees accept and share the core value of the hospitals; the culture will become stronger which will in turn have