The papers included in this volume may be categorized loosely into four sections about health care management, including theoretical perspectives, the role and impact of managed care, the evolution of the health professions, and enhancing health care organizational performance.

Part 1 Theoretical perspectives on the field of health care management: complexity science and health care management; integration as networks and systems - a strategic stakeholder analysis; understanding the meaning of health care management research through the use of a cognitive mapping approach. Part 2 The role and impact of managed care: managed care and medical practice guidelines - the thorny problem of attaining physician compliance; managed care and drug treatment practices - a model of organizational response to external influence; the strategic importance of open access for HMOs in a competitive environment. Part 3 Evolution of the health professionals: reshaping health professionals in the new marketplace; physician executives - the evolution and impact of a hybrid profession; understanding physicians' intentions to withdraw from practice - the role of job satisfaction, job stress, mental and physical health; enhancing health care organizational performance; total quality management in health care - a goal setting approach; strategy, structure, and performance in a nursing facility; a longitudinal study of work group innovation - the importance of transformational leadership and morale; the challenge of interpreting performance in health care - a study of intensive care units in Norwegian hospitals.