Read chapter by Ginter, P. M., Duncan, W. J., & Swayne, L. E. (2018). Strategic management of health care organizations (8th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Read Chapter 8, “Value-Adding Service Delivery Strategies,” pages 313–355. And read Chapter 9, “Value-Adding Support Strategies,” pages 359–398. For the discussion post answer the follow questions:

Value-Added Service Strategies

1. Value-adding service activities are critical as they are the actions that will create value for the organization. For your initial response to this discussion, examine the following value-adding service activities: pre-service, point-of-service, and after service. Provide a description of each activity and the importance of developing strategies to address each one. In your description, include the role that marketing has and the implications of not utilizing the marketing function. Finally, provide an example of an action for each of the three activities that may aid the organization in gaining a competitive advantage within the market.

Organizational Culture

2. Organizational culture plays a significant role in the organization’s overall success. The culture may help to unite employees, establish the organization’s identity, influence employee loyalty and engagement, and assist with goal setting to achieve defined organizational strategies. For your initial respond to the following:

• Describe organizational culture.
• Examine how organizational culture affects strategy.
• Discuss how the culture of an organization is maintained.
• Discuss why an organization would want to change the culture.

Finally, discuss the implications of not maintaining or addressing the culture within the organization as it relates to strategy and strategic planning.

Read the chapters by Ginter, P. M., Duncan, W. J., & Swayne, L. E. (2018). Strategic management of health care organizations (8th ed). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Chapter 5, “Directional Strategies,” pages 163–199. And Chapter 6, “Identifying Strategic Alternatives,” pages 205–254.

Innovation in Health Care

3. Health care organizations must seek and embrace innovations to remain competitive, reduce costs, improve outcomes, and build their consumer base. For your initial response to this discussion, identify an innovation in health care technology, such as service or technological innovation. How has the innovation improved value? Potential improvements include improved access, enhanced processes, reduced cost, or improved outcomes.

Finally, identify a different popular innovation, such as smartphones, applications, or other technology, and how it is influencing the way in which you do your banking, commuting, communication, work, etcetera. Discuss the potential for using the innovation in health care or the creation of something similar for use in the industry.