Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess intrapreneural practices in for-profit and not-for-profit acute care hospitals in Southern California. The objectives were to determine: (1) if there are significant differences between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals regarding the degree of intrapreneural practices, (2) if there are differences between for-profit and not-for-profit hospital responses to innovative ideas, (3) if differences exist between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals regarding intrapreneuring and demographic factors. This study was based on the descriptive research methodology. The research instrument was a questionnaire; An Intrapreneuring Assessment Scale (IAS). Chief executive officers of acute care hospitals located in southern California were requested to rate questions on a Likert scale, which described conditions existing in their hospitals. Intensity ratings varied from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The overall response rate was 63 percent. Two statistical methods were used to treat data: The t-test was used to examine the ratio of the difference between the mean and standard error. The Chi-Square Test of Significance was used to measure the strength of similarity between groups and determine the extent to which they exist in the same universe. Significant differences were found between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals regarding the degree of intrapreneural practices according to t-values. A stronger agreement exists among for-profit respondents than not-for-profit respondents regarding the degree of intrapreneural practices. Using the Chi-Square Test of Significance, it was determined that there were no significant differences between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals regarding responses to innovative ideas and the practice of intrapreneuring according to demographic factors. Data collected were satisfactory for the purposes of this study. All research questions were answered and all research hypotheses were supported by findings. Further explorations of the intrapreneural process need to be conducted to determine if there are differences in intrapreneural practices within acute healthcare organizations between Northern California and Southern California. In addition, it is important to determine if intraprises are managed according to established intrapreneural guidelines.