Female Executives in Healthcare Management in the context of the Upper Echelon Theory

Abstract

In this article, we present a summary of the upper echelons theory (UET) and some results of recent business research on this topic concerning the healthcare sector. UET for top management teams could predict organizational outcomes such as strategic choices and performance levels. In turbulent environments, a challenge for upper echelons is to develop new management processes. A strategic performance level such as organizational survival could benefit from team heterogeneity. Missing from the body of knowledge related to UET was a match between theory, measurement, and statistical analysis essential on multiple levels. We suggest ways of filling this void.