Strategic planning or muddling through? The relevance of the strategic planning process to the hospital sector.
We review some of the main themes in the literature about managerial strategy and strategic planning. Attention is paid to the limitations of strategic planning in the government sector generally and the public hospital system particularly. The alternative to strategic planning--to adapt a stance that is more pragmatic, incrementalist and iterative--is considered. A case study of a teaching hospital's approach to strategy over the last two years is used to provide an empirical complement to the literature analysis. We conclude that the rational planning approach has advantages over the adaptive, iterative approach through the information that it provides to hospital management about the strengths and weaknesses of the organisation.
Gilbert
R
R
Central Sydney Area Health Service.
Braithwaite
J
J
D001315:Australia; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D006752:Hospital Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010934:Planning Techniques