Upload
byron-ewing
View
17
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Assessment of Organizational Culture in a Community College Partnership: A Case Study. Mary Kathryn Turner, RDH, EdD Dean, Science & Allied Health Sacramento City College SWHOAC Meeting – May 29, 2009. Introduction & Background. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Assessment of Organizational Culturein a Community College Partnership:
A Case Study
Mary Kathryn Turner, RDH, EdD
Dean, Science & Allied HealthSacramento City College
SWHOAC Meeting – May 29, 2009
Introduction & Backgroundo Innovative education/industry partnership
based on shared goal of addressing nursing shortage
o California nursing shortage – impacting both education and industry (Sechrist, Lewis & Rutledge, 1999)
o High cost of nursing programs, faculty & facilities
o No recognition of the organizational differences – especially the cultures
Introduction & Background
Organizational culture“A pattern of shared basic assumptions that was learned by a group as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems.”
(Schein, 2004, p. 17)
Introduction & BackgroundOrganizational culture“A pattern of shared basic assumptions that was learned by a group as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems.”
(Schein, 2004, p. 17)
“The way we do things around here…..”
Statement of Problem
The success of community college and industry partnerships may be adversely
affected by the lack of awareness of differences in organizational culture.
Culture clash – the primary causal factor in the failure of mergers and acquisitions and strategic alliances (Carleton & Lineberry, 2004)
Study Purpose & Significance
Analyze the cultural characteristics and sources of conflict in a community college
and hospital system partnership
If impact of organizational culture is recognized at onset of community college partnership development,
appropriate strategies and interventions can be put in place to
better ensure success.
Theoretical Framework &Literature Review
Organizational ethnography Organizational culture (Geertz, Schein, Martin)
Higher educational culture (Clark, Dill, Kuh & Whitt)
Culture in healthcare organizations and nursing profession (Senge, Shortell, McNish)
Acquisitions, mergers & partnerships (Cross, Johnson & Tornatzky, Kisker & Carucci, Buono & Bowditch, Radtke)
Organizational conflict (Pondy, Becker & Geer, Wall & Callister)
Methodology
Case study - Qualitative & Quantitative Organizational Culture Assessment
Instrument (OCAI)
Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory (WCFI)
Demographic Data
Personal Interviews
Methodology – OCAI
Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI)
Competing Values Framework (Cameron &
Ettington, 1988)
4-fold culture typing on 2 axes Clan (Human Relations) Model Adhocracy (Open Systems) Model Market (Rational Goal) Model Hierarchy (Internal Process) Model
Methodology - OCAI
Methodology - WCFI
Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory (WCFI)
(Mattessich, Murray-Close, Monsey, 2001)
19 collaboration success factors General environment Membership* Process and Structure* Communication* Purpose* Resources*
Methodology - Participants Surveys (n = 67; 75%)
26 Community college administrators, faculty or staff (n = 23; 88%)
41 Hospital system personnel (n = 27; 66%)
Interviews 2 Administrators from each organization
Definition of organizational culture
Characteristics of their culture & the partner’s culture
Sources of conflict
Changes in institutional practices
Lessons learned
Participants
Caucasian female Over 45 years of age Master’s degree Over 11 years employment in organization Involved in partnership 5 years or more
Research Hypotheses & Questions - #1
Organizational cultural attributes, as identified by members of a collaborative partnership are different for a community college and a hospital system.
What are the perceived cultural attributes for each organization?
How are the cultural attributes similar? How are the cultural attributes different?
Results – Research Hypothesis #1
Community College Hospital
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy
Results – Research Hypothesis #1
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy Solid = Community College Dotted = Hospital
Results – Research Hypothesis #1
Organizational cultural attributes, as identified by members of a collaborative partnership are different for a community college and a hospital system.
Significant difference in dependent variables of Clan (p = .05), Market and
Hierarchy (p = .01).
DiscussionSelf-perceived cultural characteristics
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy Solid = Community College Dotted = Hospital
Discussion Self-perceived cultural characteristics
College -- Clan/Hierarchy Hospital -- Clan/Market
•“Family-like” work environment
•Team-work, participation & consensus
•Friendly, people share
•Leaders – mentors, parent figures
•Loyalty & tradition
•Human resource development – cohesion & morale
•Sensitivity to customers & concern for people
Flexibility & Internal Focus
Discussion Self-perceived cultural characteristics
College -- Clan/Hierarchy
Internal focus Consistency, Cohesion,
short-term orientation
Structured organization Efficiency, smooth-
running, stability & performance
Secure employment and predictability
Controlled environment Rules, policies &
procedures
Hospital -- Clan/Market
External focus Achievement, tasks, long-
term orientation
Competitive organization Production, goal
accomplishment & market superiority
Teamwork focused on achievement
Demanding environment Emphasis on winning,
reputation & success
Research Hypotheses & Questions - #2
The perception of an organization’s cultural attributes is different when assessed by members of the organization versus members of the partner organization.
Do the partners perceive their counterpart’s culture to possess the same characteristics as identified by individuals from within the organization?
Results – Research Hypothesis #2
Community College Hospital
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy
Results – Research Hypothesis #2
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy Solid = Community College Dotted = Hospital
Results – Research Hypothesis #2
The perception of an organization’s cultural attributes is different when assessed by members of the organization versus members of the partner organization.
Significant difference (p = .0005; .001) in mean scores of given organization and mean scores of partner organization for Clan, Adhocracy*, Market & Hierarchy.
* Hospital partner -- Adhocracy “my” vs “partner” T-test not significant
DiscussionSelf-Perceived Culture Partner-Perceived Culture
Solid = Community College Dotted = Hospital
Clan Adhocracy
MarketHierarchy
Discussion Partner-perceived cultural characteristics
College – Hierarchy
Internal focus Consistency, Cohesion,
short-term orientation Formalized & structured Procedure oriented
Controlling organization Leaders – coordinators Consistency, uniformity
& efficiency Stability
Hospital -- Market
External focus Achievement, results,
long-term orientation Competitive & goal
focused Results oriented
Competitive organization Leaders – innovators Production & market
superiority Winning
Research Hypotheses & Questions - #3
Higher level managers who initiate a partnership will have a different perception of the two organization’s cultures than those individuals at the operational or implementation level.
Are there any differences between how higher level managers view their organization’s culture and how individuals at the operational level view the culture?
Results – Research Hypothesis #3Higher level managers who initiate a partnership will have a different perception of the two organization’s cultures than those individuals at the operational or implementation level.
Management vs. operational employees demonstrate a significant difference (p = .25) in mean scores on
Hierarchy – partner organization.
Research Hypotheses & Questions - #4
Perceived sources of conflict will be related to differences in organizational culture.
What are the perceived sources of conflict as related to success factors within the partnership?
How are the perceived sources of conflict related to the organizational cultures?
Results – Research Hypothesis #4Perceived sources of conflict
Membership Trust (77%) Willingness to compromise (55%)
Results – Research Hypothesis #4Perceived sources of conflict
Membership Trust Willingness to compromise
Process & Structure Participants not able to speak for organization
(71%) Lack of flexibility in decision-making (68%) Unwillingness to consider different approaches
(66%) Clear roles and responsibilities Clear decision making process
Results – Research Hypothesis #4Perceived sources of conflict
Communication Open communication Participants not always informed Leaders don’t always communicate well
Results – Research Hypothesis #4Perceived sources of conflict
Communication Open communication Participants not always informed Leaders don’t always communicate well
Purpose
Results – Research Hypothesis #4Perceived sources of conflict
Communication Open communication Participants not always informed Leaders don’t always communicate well
Purpose Resources
Leaders don’t possess necessary skills for working with people
Results – Research Hypothesis #4
Perceived sources of conflict will be related to differences in organizational culture.
How are the perceived sources of conflict related to the organizational cultures?
No significant difference in mean scores on conflict constructs of Membership,
Process/Structure, Communication & Purpose* between community college and
hospital partners.*Resource construct unable to be analyzed.
Discussion Conflict
MembershipTrust (Clan) – “us” vs. “them”
Process & StructureLack of flexibility (Hierarchy)Decision-making (Hierarchy/Market)
CommunicationOpen dialogue
(Clan/Hierarchy/Market)Resources
Leadership skills (Hierarchy/Market)
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Language, Communication,
and Decision-makingArtifacts & Creations
CollegeLanguage of “student success” and “academic freedom”
Hospital PartnersLanguage of “business model” and “return on investment”
“Closed” meetings “Closed” meetings
Decision-making and implementation protocol -- slow & cumbersome
Decision-making and implementation protocol -- effective & efficient
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Language, Communication,
and Decision-makingValues
CollegeFaculty role in educational process and student success
Hospital PartnersBusiness model supports student success
All individuals will be allows to participate in the dialogue and their opinions will be valued
All levels of employee can generate ideas; Communication processes are effective & efficient
Consensus & participatory decision-making; Tradition, Slow Processes
Creativity & dynamics; Quick response necessary due to competitive environment
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Language, Communication,
and Decision-makingBasic Assumptions
College“Educational process” not a “business venture” but “traditional educational model”
Hospital PartnersHospital is “non-profit business” & language & communication reflect “business model”
Inclusionary dialogue is valued, but boundaries for “outsiders”
Decisions may occur without dialogue and are expected to be implemented
Faculty at core of participatory decision-making; decisions make outside process not viewed as valid
Once decisions are made the team is “empowered” & expected to implement without question
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Measurements of Success
Artifacts & Creations
CollegeTraditional semester curriculum delivery
Hospital Partners18-month curriculum delivery
High NCLEX pass rates Skills & knowledge necessary to integrate quickly into workforce
Graduations for hospital supported students should be held at the college because it is college program
Graduations designed to celebrate success of students, success of partnership & success of hospital system
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Measurements of Success
Values
CollegeWhat’s best for the students
Hospital PartnersWhat’s best for the students
Maintain quality and integrity of the (educational) program
Maintain quality and integrityof the (educational) program
Cultural Properties/Elements for Organizational Measurements of Success
Basic Assumptions
CollegeTraditional way best way to provide education; Curriculum so stressful that both faculty & students need break
Hospital PartnersNew ways can be better; Healthcare is 24/7 so why shouldn’t education be the same
Student who make it through the program should be able to pass the NCLEX
Utilize appropriate selection process so students complete program & pass NCLEX
“Quality product” result of student attrition because all students cannot always be successful at making nursing a career
“Quality product” not just a number—but mechanisms should be in place to ensure success of all students if selection process is appropriate
Discussion Conflict
“Just the way we work . . . is very different and . . . it was almost like a one-night stand and we decided to get married in Vegas. Had we spent more time exploring what that marriage looked liked, I think we might have structured the project a little bit differently.”
Implications for Practice
Practice cultural “due diligence” Partnership = Merger or acquisition Self-identified and perceived cultural
characteristicsIdentify potential sources of conflictFacilitate conversation between
partners including all participantsMonitor speed of implementation
Acknowledgements
Los Rios Community College District Sacramento City College Sutter Health, Sacramento Sierra
Region