Mission Statement Rationales and Organizational Alignment in the Not-for-Profit Health Care Sector

This article presents the findings from a research study conducted on the use of mission statements in not-for-profit health care organizations. In particular, the study sought to determine if a relationship exists between the initial "rationales" that led to the creation of a mission statement and hospital performance. The findings suggest that some of the rationales for developing mission statements are indeed more important than others and that organizational alignment with the mission statement is of key importance to both the mission's and the hospital's success.