Understanding the importance of mission and vision and their relationship to strategy and strategic management is important. All strategic actions and direction of a firm should be driven by its mission and vision. Leaders should seek to make their mission and vision meaningful by incorporating them into their decision-making process.

Find the mission and values statements for 4 different hospital types.

Do their missions and values reconcile with your expectations for the type of organization?

Do their mission and values reflect their religious teachings and mission?

Now examine a for-profit hospital.

Do its mission and values include the need to increase its owners’ value and maximize their earnings?

Why do you think the missions and values are structured as they are?