Final Paper Instructions
Cases typically raise more questions than they answer, and in doing so, students gain an understanding of the complexities and interdependence of the organization and its environment. Cases provide the context and impetus to raise questions and to seek understanding, and through this process, develop students’ abilities in the science and art of strategic management. A case is typically a record of a situation that actually has been faced by executives, together with surrounding facts, opinions, and prejudices that impact on those decisions.
This case attempts to vicariously place you into a managerial position in which you will be required to “size up” the situation and suggest some action. The action is typically a plan (set of decisions) that will outline solutions concerning the key issues. The case provides some degree of focus for you as well as the context of the decision. However, as in actual situations, seldom do you have all the information that is necessary to make the best decision. Often extraneous data is included which requires that you to learn to discern, prioritize, and utilize pertinent information. I want you to read the case and stay within the case facts as presented.
The objective of the case approach is not to provide “solutions.” Rather, the approach provides you with a perspective concerning the complexity of the issues that modern health care organizations face, practice in discerning critical problems and opportunities, application of theory, and an understanding of the interrelatedness of organizational functions. To begin download the final project template follow the format.
Read the case: Dr. Louis Mickael: The Physician as Strategic Manager
1. Executive summary of the situation (One Page)
This is an overview that includes the decisions to be made, key issues and brief summary of how the medical profession has changed since managed care.
2. Situational Analysis
Relevant issues, environmental analysis, Identify key factors in the internal & external environment that have changed in the last decade for Dr. Mickael. What other factors should be included in an analysis of this case? What is the financial posture of this practice? Competitive analysis – use an analysis of the competitive power of third-party payers as buyers, direct competitors, and the threats of new entrants and substitutes to compare the industry environment experienced by Dr. Mickael prior to the early 1980s with the environment in which he now is working, approximately ten years later. Include the concept of product life cycle within health services context. I want you also to place Dr. Mickael’s office in The Bronx. Use the New York City 2013 Market Overview to complete the SWOT analysis of this case – identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Include competitive analysis – Use an analysis of the competitive power of third-party payers as buyers, direct competitors, and the threats of new entrants and substitutes to compare the industry environment experienced by Dr. Mickael prior to the early 1980s with the environment in which he now is working, approximately ten years later.
3. Formulate the Strategy –
Formulate a comprehensive plan that addresses relevant current issues and strategy for the future include effective strategic alternatives, alternative evaluation and strategic implementation.
4. Recommendations
Given that Dr. Louis Mickael prefers not to retire just now, what recommendations exist for him? Identify the choices with their pros and cons. Which choice would you recommend and why? (There is no “right answer” – you just need to analyze the choices well and support your choice).