Systems and Process
Finding Process Thought in the Systems Model: System within Process
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Thomas D. Lynch, Cynthia Lynch
This paper explores the parsimoniousness of the Systems Theory logic model using Process Thought to apply it to three management activities, Budgeting, Building Harmonious Organizational Environments, and Transparency. This model, developed by Thomas D. Lynch in Public Budgeting in America (1995), presents a logic sequence with data feedback loops that can monitor and quantify the effectiveness of an intervention or administrative function. This model is particularly adaptable to complex abstract issues.
A Systematic Review Study of Career Plateau
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sean Darling
The overall goal of this systematic review is to synthesis the empirical basis of the career plateau research. This systematic review process has three secondary goals: to present a state-of-the-art of the existing empirical research on career plateau; to provide new insights, analysis and interpretations through secondary analysis of the published data and findings; and to suggest a series of actions that, based on the systematization of empirical findings, help increase the effectiveness of individual and organizational attempts to prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of career plateau. Following a description of the methodology used to conduct the systematic review, key findings from the exploration of research methods and development of a map of empirical studies on career plateau is presented. The study provides greater clarity and new insights related to career plateau.
Implementation of Lean in Healthcare: Problems and Solutions
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Christian Gadolin
Lean has become one of the most widespread manifestations of Quality improvement in healthcare, however, both its suitability in healthcare settings and ability to achieve increased efficiency and quality has been questioned due to the fact that system-wide implementation has been proven difficult. Policy makers and legislators play a pivotal role in enabling healthcare organizations to enact more precise strategies and achieve harmonizing adaptions of guidelines and frameworks in order to avoid superficial implementation and concomitant ill-advised local adaptations. Through a qualitative content analysis of Swedish counties’ annual reports, this papers highlights that policy makers and legislator ought to communicate a more precise ideal of what they perceive is included in the concept of Lean; a more nuanced approach towards why Lean ought to be implement that incorporates a broader span of reasons distinct from financial dilemmas; as well as more developed and broader span of concrete activates that may facilitate Lean implementations. In addition, policy makers and legislator should direct more attention towards the potential conflicts that may arise during Lean implementations due to the institutional complexity found in healthcare organizations, as well as guiding and steering efforts regarding how such conflicts could be balanced and constructively handled.
Data-driven Management: Digital Technologies as Enablers of the Art and the Practice of Management
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Marcelo Machado
Based on decades of research, Henry Mintzberg (2009) proposed management to be a combination of science (i.e., focus on analysis), art (i.e., vision and conceptualization) and craft (i.e., the practice of management). Today’s business environment is extremely complex and dynamic. In search of efficiency and effectiveness, the digitalization of business models, processes, products, services and customers generate massive amounts of data. Moreover, new digital technologies have evolved to better process and make sense and generate intelligence from data. Over the years, digital technologies have evolved from reporting what happened (descriptive technologies) to recommending and implementing actions (prescriptive technologies). This paper updates Mintzberg view of management, by proposing digital technologies greatly reduce (sometimes automate) the need for the analytical side of management. Hence, management can better focus its energy on the more strategic, visionary and conceptual aspects of the practice (management). In terms of organization, a pertinent literature review is completed. Then, a “new” management framework is proposed and discussed. Furthermore, the validity of the framework, based a survey of managers is assessed. Lastly, a reflection about preliminary findings and opportunities for future research is also provided.
