A configurational view of executive selection behaviours: a taxonomy of USA acute care hospitals

Abstract

Health-care organizations, particularly hospitals, are among the most complex organizations to manage. However, the executive selection processes these organizations have in place are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to explore the executive selection processes employed by USA acute care hospitals and discern if such processes are related to environmental, structural and strategic organizational characteristics. We conceptualize this model using a configurational approach. We present an empirically derived taxonomy of hospitals based on executive selection processes, structural and environmental characteristics, and organizational strategy based on the Porter framework. Based on the analyses, three types of hospitals are identified: (1) small, rural, cost leaders with limited selection processes; (2) large, urban, differentiators, with a plan; and (3) small, rural, caught in the middle muddlers.