Organizational Adaptations During Uncertain Times: A Qualitative Study of Decision-Making in Small, Hospital-Affiliated Healthcare Colleges

Hospital-affiliated higher education institutions face a multitude of challenges and uncertainties, from a decline in enrollment to financial instabilities to large-scale health-system mergers. These higher education organizations must adapt in order to overcome challenges and remain sustainable in the future. Previous research was limited regarding decision-making for higher education institutions during organizational adaptation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore higher education leaders’ perceptions of decision-making practices during organizational adaptation in small, hospital-affiliated healthcare colleges during the post-COVID-19 timeframe. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 presidents and provosts of colleges who are members of the Consortium of Hospital-Affiliated Colleges and Universities. The findings revealed several themes and subthemes, including mission guidance, multifaceted decision-making factors, situational decision-making, the need to overcommunicate, and leader characteristics during the decision-making process. The proposed recommendations set forth in this study could be used by hospital-affiliated higher education leaders to aid or enhance their current decision-making practices when small or large-scale adaptations need to occur.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Dirkschneider, Carla

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tolstikov-Mast, Yulia

• Decision-Making
• Higher Education
• Hospital-Affiliated
• Organizational Adaptation
• Post-COVID

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/156082

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/156082