Organisational development. Reigning cats and dogs.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare management
• Organizational psychology
• Merger and acquisition studies

Background:

• Two healthcare trusts undergoing a merger exhibited distinct organizational cultures.
• Understanding these cultural differences is crucial for successful integration and change management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze cultural differences between two merging healthcare organizations.
• To use cultural insights as a framework for developing the new, integrated organization.
• To demonstrate the necessity of organizational change to the board.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research methods were employed to investigate the organizational culture of both trusts.
• Comparative analysis of cultural elements was conducted.

Main Results:

• Significant cultural differences were revealed between the two merging trusts.
• The findings provided a valuable framework for the development of the new organizational structure.
• The research convinced the board of the imperative for organizational change.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing and addressing cultural disparities is essential for successful healthcare mergers.
• The study's findings directly informed strategic decisions regarding organizational development and change implementation.
• Introduction of new HR practices, including annual appraisals and 360-degree feedback, supports cultural integration.