A SENSE OF DIRECTION IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS - AN ANALYSIS OF MISSIONSTATEMENTS IN STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

This article presents the results of a study of mission statements in 42 state health departments. The statements were examined in an effort to verify the components previously found in the mission statements o f hospitals and business firms. It was determined that state public he alth departments often identify their target clients and include more extensive lists of services provided, than either business firms or ho spitals. Business firms and hospitals, on the other hand, often state an organizational philosophy and make explicit their desired public im age. All three groups of organizations-business firms, hospitals, and state departments of public health-fail to include things like core te chnologies and geographical domains. The article concludes with a disc ussion of the indirect association between formal mission statements a nd organizational performance. Attention is also given to the need for public health managers to more carefully develop and communicate the organizational mission to all stakeholders.