The double spiral of change : experiences of privatization in a Swedish hospital

• ObjectivesPrivatization is a trend in countries with a public health system. It involves organizational change, a cultural transformation and changes for the employees as well as a more strictly controlled work. The objective of this study is to describe, analyse and interpret how privatization is perceived by the employees of a health care organization in Sweden. Methodology In-depth interviews have been performed with physicians, paramedics, secretaries, nurses, assistant nurses and local managers, in all 14 respondents, after a private entrepreneur had taken over the management of a hospital. The interviews were tape-recorded and have been analysed and interpreted following a grounded theory approach. Findings The transcribed interviews show that trust is a core category and linked with emotions, commitment and security. The analysis shows that employees' experience of privatization within a health care organization differs and is full of nuances and complexities. Conclusion A simultaneous virtuous and a vicious circle of experiences and reactions may describe how employees experience privatization. It can also be concluded that leadership is an important factor in the success of organizational change.

Keyword

health care

privatization

employees' experiences

qualitative method

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)