Shift in paradigm: Organizational values and performance

Quantum theories have become widely accepted in the fields of management and social sciences, because these theories enhance organizational sustainability. The principles of the quantum approach are humanizing in nature being a panacea in organizational life. In those organizations that adopt this mindset, employees tend to accept common goals and objectives. The aim of this chapter is to ascertain whether management of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), specifically Universities, adhere to the quantum principles already evident in other sectors. Universities are, par excellence, the source for creation and sharing of knowledge, hence this chapter reflects on whether sustainability is achievable and also if major organizational challenges are surpassed in knowledge creation and sharing despite the absence of spiritual capital. Spiritual capital is a vital component in the new age organizational paradigm. The main objective of this chapter, therefore, is the identification of spiritual capital characteristics in profit-oriented organizations, including Universities

Information as Change Agent or Barrier in Health Care Reform?

Health care systems across the world are in a state of flux. If the experience of the early 1990s can be used as a model, the recent global economic downturn will lead to very significant pressures to reduce spending and achieve better value. Systems have provided a range of approaches to modeling and evaluating these more complex organizations, from simple process models to complex adaptive systems. This paper considers the pros and cons of such approaches and proposes a new modeling approach that combines the best elements of other techniques. This paper also describes a case study, where the approach has been deployed by the authors. The case study comes from health care services in Ontario, Canada, who are shifting from the traditionally hospital-based system to one that recognizes a greater role for community and primary care services