Competing Values Framework: A useful tool to define the predominant culture in a maternity setting in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the predominant culture of an organisation which could then assess readiness for change.


METHODS
An exploratory design using the Competing Values Framework (CVF) as a self-administered survey tool.


METHODS
The Maternity Unit in one Australian metropolitan tertiary referral hospital.


METHODS
All 120 clinicians (100 midwives and 20 obstetricians) employed in the maternity service were invited to participate; 26% responded.


METHODS
The identification of the predominant culture of an organisation to assess readiness for change prior to the implementation of a new policy.


RESULTS
The predominant culture of this maternity unit, as described by those who responded to the survey, was one of hierarchy with a focus on rules and regulations and less focus on innovation, flexibility and teamwork. These results suggest that this unit did not have readiness to change.


CONCLUSIONS
There is value in undertaking preparatory work to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of an organisation prior to designing and implementing change. This understanding can influence additional preliminary work that may be required to increase the readiness for change and therefore increase the opportunity for successful change. The CVF is a useful tool to identify the predominant culture and characteristics of an organisation that could influence the success of change.
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Catherine.M.Adams@student.uts.edu.au.
Catherine
C
Adams
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Angela.dawson@uts.edu.au.
Angela
A
Dawson
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Maralyn.foureur@uts.edu.au.
Maralyn
M
Foureur
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*
Change readiness; Competing values; Culture assessment; Maternity; Organisation