Victor Meyer Junior

Implementing Strategies in Complex Systems: Lessons from Brazilian Hospitals

Abstract Hospitals, as social organizations, are seen as complex, surprising, ambiguous and paradoxical. The theoretical foundation finds its roots in organizational complexity, strategic management characterized by strategy implementation, and sensemaking especially in the context of complex adaptive systems. Managers frequently neglect elements of complexity when they develop models and implement management practices. The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of strategies in complex organizations. The focus of the study is two Brazilian nonprofit hospitals. This is a comparative, qualitative case study. Data were gathered from three main sources: interviews, non-participant observation, and documents. Two important aspects of the strategic approach are discussed: first, the implementation of strategies, and second, the influence of ambiguity, unpredictability and uncertainty in the way strategies are implemented. The analysis indicated that the implementation of strategies in the hospitals has to do with the practices and processes that are adopted (

Administrando o imensurável: uma crítica às organizações acadêmicas

This theoretical essay focuses on themes concerning the administration of universities. The essayists think through the university administrators role, offering some criticism on the use of business models that do not observe the characteristics and complexity of academic organizations. On the one hand, the authors criticize the use of rational managerial approaches with an excessive focus on effectiveness and measurable elements, disregarding principles and values that are crucial to the nature of academic organizations. On the other hand, the authors highlight the absence of ready-made administrative models and theories, which meet the specificities of these organizations. The essayists remind that the theory of university administration is still under development, it is based on scientific studies and the analysis of good practices observed in Higher Education institutions. The authors conclude that there is a need for adopting a managerial practice that favors various dimensions with an objective nature and, especially, with a subjective nature, which are known to be difficult to measure and included into the essence of academic work. The adoption of such practices requires administrators who are able to combine technique and art, rationality and intuition.