Question

A nurse who works for an accrediting agency is reviewing the structure of a health care organization. Which situations would the nurse interpret as indicating the agency is based on classical theory?

A. Much of the care provided is based on standard operating procedure.
B. Information from the organization refers to the work done as throughput.
C. There is a well-defined chain of command in the organization.
D. During interviews with staff, the words creativity and flexibility are often used.
E. The facilitys organizational chart reveals departmentalization.

Answer 1

A healthcare organization based on classical theory would exhibit a well-defined chain of command, departmentalization, and reliance on standard operating procedures, which are all hallmarks of a bureaucratic structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When evaluating a health care organization, certain characteristics may indicate its structure is based on classical theory. Classical theory in organizational management emphasizes a systematic and structured approach, which is closely related to the concept of bureaucracy described by Max Weber.

• A well-defined chain of command: This indicates a clear hierarchy where each employee reports to one superior, a common feature of classical organization.
• Departmentalization: The presence of an organizational chart revealing departmentalization points to specialized and segregated tasks, which are characteristic of a bureaucratic structure.
• Standard operating procedures: Reliance on established procedures signifies the formalization of operations, aligning with bureaucratic principles.

Conversely, frequent references to creativity and flexibility would suggest a departure from classical theory, which is typically more rigid and predictable in its operations.