Final answer:
The conservative approach offers a less disruptive way to improve hospital coordination, while matrix management provides a more flexible but complex system. Each has its merits in responding to rapid changes in technology and demographics, with the importance of maintaining high-quality patient care amid any organizational change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The merits of conservative approaches to organizational change in a hospital might involve introducing simpler relational structures to enhance coordination, such as improving communication and collaboration among existing departments without a complete overhaul of the organizational structure. This is compared to a more radical approach of implementing a matrix management structure, which is a complex and often challenging system due to its dual chain of command, where staff has to report to two bosses typically - their functional manager and their project or product manager.
In healthcare settings, adopting simpler methods to improve coordination could be less disruptive and maintain the focus on patient care without the confusion that can come with the introduction of a matrix structure. However, the matrix management system, while complex, might offer more flexibility to respond to the changes in technology, economics, globalization, and demographics in the workplace. The matrix model potentially affords the opportunity to assemble teams with diverse skills and expertise, which is increasingly necessary in modern healthcare settings.
Given the move towards less bureaucratic and more nimble organizational formats, a hospital must balance the need for stability and the ease of transition for staff with the need to be adaptable to rapidly changing environments. This balance is essential so as not to compromise the provision of high-quality patient care amid structural changes.