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Addressing Organizational Culture

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Running Head: ADDRESSING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Operationalizing Quality Assurance in Rehabilitation Agencies: The Argument for Addressing Organizational Culture
Jared C. Schultz Utah State University
Russell Thelin
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation

Note: The authors would like to thank Dr. Larry Kontosh at West Virginia University for his feedback and direction during the development of this manuscript.

Abstract
The issue of Quality Assurance (QA) within the State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is currently receiving significant attention. State VR agencies are increasingly developing QA plans, both to meet the requirements of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and because of the recognized value such plans bring to program development and improvement activities. The business literature clearly indicates that a large percentage of quality initiatives fail due to the organization failing to address organizational culture change as part of the quality process (Cameron, 2006). This article provides an overview of the Competing Values Framework for organizational change, and discusses the application this paradigm to the state VR setting. Recommendations for state VR agencies to include organizational cultural change in the QA process are provided.

Operationalizing Quality Assurance in Rehabilitation Agencies: The Argument for Addressing Organizational Culture The research from the business literature indicates that the majority of organizational efforts to increase effectiveness through quality initiatives (different studies estimate between 40 to 68%) result in failure (Cameron, 2008; Cameron, 1997). Some have questioned whether the quality movement was simply an antiquated management method (Jacob, 1993). In considering the general failure of quality initiatives in the business arena, Cameron (1997) suggests

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