Assessing production characteristics, influential factors and administrative policies in a multicenter dental organization.
BACKGROUND
In multicenter service organizations, managers often make centralized decisions without considering the effects of differing production characteristics and influential factors on each center.


METHODS
In this study, the author examines differences in production characteristics and factors that influence production, as well as their likely effect on policy formulation, in a large, six-center dental group in the Chicago area.


RESULTS
The results of the study show that the six centers (in two groups) exhibited two distinct production patterns, with three having logarithmic distributions and three having normal distributions. Production differences between the groups likely resulted from differences in managed care, staffing and dental procedures performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Instead of being monolithic, the organization exhibited two types of centers, each with its own production characteristics and factors that influenced production.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results suggest that large service corporations and }partnerships would benefit from conducting analyses of production characteristics and factors that influence production before making policy decisions that affect the entire organization.
Advanced Family Dental, P.C., 2241 Theodore St., Crest Hill, IL 60403, USA. clucas1954@yahoo.com
Charles W
CW
Patterson
D003797:Dental Staff / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006124:Group Practice, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D016134:Organizational Policy; D016008:Statistical Distributions