To Uncertainty and Beyond: Identifying the Capabilities Needed by Hospitals to Function in Dynamic Environments

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Studies
• Crisis Management

Background:

• Hospitals face increasing complexity and dynamic uncertainty.
• The COVID-19 crisis exacerbated these challenges, necessitating adaptive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how hospital organizations cope with profound uncertainty.
• To identify core capabilities required for managing dynamic uncertainty in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A multiple case study approach was employed.
• Data was collected from five hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis in the Netherlands.

Main Results:

• Hospitals implemented adaptations across five key categories: reorganization, decision-making, human resources, material resources, and planning.
• Adaptations revealed the importance of sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities for managing uncertainty.
• Flexibility and efficiency need to be balanced for optimal organizational performance.

Conclusions:

• Hospitals must develop enhanced sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities to improve resilience and responsiveness.
• Strategic adaptations are crucial for hospitals to effectively cope with dynamic and uncertain environments.
• Recommendations are provided for building these capabilities and addressing associated challenges.