Behavioral science approaches to improving productivity

We have suggested that improving the productivity of an individual or of one group of workers is not the same thing as improving the productivity of the organization overall. Further, because work units in hospitals are interdependent, attempts to improve productivity ultimately involve a reexamination of the organization's values and culture. Until this fundamental realization occurs, little can be done to improve the organization's productivity. As such, productivity is not simply a day-to-day managerial issue as a long-term leadership issue. Thus, we ought to begin mapping out productivity strategies for the long run. Some of the elements of such a strategy have been highlighted.