Discussion 1: The Influence of Mission and Vision on Planning
As you read the following mission statements, think about what you might deduce about each organization:
“Nurses advancing our profession to improve health for all,” American Nurses Association
“The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” American Red Cross
“The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit,” Southwest Airlines
“To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research,” Mayo Clinic
“Provide telehealth solutions and executive medical research management to enhance and support military healthcare and promote innovative medical technologies,” Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
“Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” Google
An organization’s mission describes its core purpose. In partnership with the organization’s vision, which communicates a future-focused direction, the mission provides a basis for planning and decision making at all levels of the organization.
For this Discussion, you compare mission and vision statements from multiple organizations and consider how these statements relate to planning.
To prepare:
Review the information related to the planning hierarchy and mission and vision statements in this week’s Learning Resources.
Research the mission and vision statements of three different types of organizations: a for-profit health care organization, a not-for-profit health care organization, and an organization outside of health care. As you examine the organizations’ mission and vision statements, consider the following:
How effectively do the mission statements articulate the organization’s purpose?
How effectively do the vision statements reflect future aims?
Do the mission and vision statements convey who (which groups) the organizations serve? Do they indicate obligations to various stakeholders?
Are the statements an appropriate length?
What do you glean about how leaders in health care and in other industries envision and convey mission and vision?
What do you discern about the interdisciplinary nature of crafting mission and vision statements by looking across organizations, including those outside of health care?
Identify key insights you have gained by comparing the mission and vision statements of these three organizations.
Consider how an organization’s mission and vision relate to the planning hierarchy. For each organization you have selected, think about how the mission and vision could or should influence planning. What elements of each mission and vision stand out as especially significant?
Post a comparison of the mission and vision statements of the three organizations selected. Explain how specific elements of each organization’s mission and vision statements might inform planning in that organization. Include references/links for the organizations’ mission and vision statements in your post.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
Respond to at least one of your colleagues using one or more of the following approaches:
Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional resources.
Required Readings
Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses: Change management in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Review Chapter 4, “Just What Is Strategic Planning?” (pp. 57–82)
Chapter 7, “The Three Key Elements of the Strategic Planning Process: A Vision That Guides Nursing’s Future Action” (pp. 117–143)
Chapter 7 addresses elements of the strategic planning process, which includes mission and vision.
Cady, S. H., Wheeler, J. V., DeWolf, J., & Brodke, M. (2011). Mission, vision, and values: What do they say? Organization Development Journal, 29(1), 63–78.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article addresses research on mission, vision, and values from 300 different organizations.
Desmidt, S., Prinzie, A., & Decramer, A. (2011). Looking for the value of mission statements: A meta-analysis of 20 years of research. Management Decision, 49(3), 468–483.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article looks at the relationship of organizational mission and financial performance. It includes a discussion of what a mission statement is and the purpose(s) it serves.
Hirota, S., Kubo, K., Miyajima, H., Hong, P., & Won Park, Y. (2010). Corporate mission, corporate policies and business outcomes: Evidence from Japan. Management Decision, 48(7), 1134–1153.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
The authors examine the implications of the mission statement for organizational practices and performance.
King, D. L., Case, C. J., & Premo, K. M. (2012). An international mission statement comparison: United States, France, Germany, Japan, and China. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 11(2), 93–119.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the content of mission statements, stakeholder involvement, and the development of goals and objectives.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Case study: Mountain View Health Center [Interactive media]. Retrieved from CDN database. (NURS 6241)
This interactive multimedia piece presents a case study of Mountain View Health Center, with information about the types of activities performed there, organizational structure, strategic priorities, and financial allocations. You will use this as a resource for Discussion 2.
Optional Resources
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2015). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 7, “Strategic and Operational Planning” (pp. 138–161)
Review as needed.
Desmidt, S., & Prinzie, A. A. (2011). The organization’s mission statement: Give up hope or resuscitate? A search for evidence-based recommendations. Advances in Health Care Management, 10, 25–41.
