IS in Healthcare

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Paper Type

Complete

Paper Number

1946

Description

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlights resource utilization uncertainty as a critical problem for hospitals. This study examines how health IT and governance structure can mitigate this problem. Drawing on organizational uncertainty and information processing theories, we hypothesize that internal digital capability enabled by electronic health records, external digital capability enabled by health information exchanges, and a differentiated governance structure enhance resource utilization uncertainty reduction. Further, we hypothesize that a centralized governance structure enhances resource utilization uncertainty reduction when hospitals have a strong internal or external digital capability. Based on the 2017 American Hospital Association dataset, our results support main effects of digital capability and a differentiated governance structure, but not the posited interaction effects. These findings contribute to health IT literature by highlighting the impact of such technologies in combination with operational and strategic decisions on hospital performance. The study has relevance for hospital managers struggling to mitigate resource utilization uncertainty.

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Dec 14th, 12:00 AM

Resource Utilization Uncertainty Reduction in Hospitals: The Role of Digital Capability and Governance Structure

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlights resource utilization uncertainty as a critical problem for hospitals. This study examines how health IT and governance structure can mitigate this problem. Drawing on organizational uncertainty and information processing theories, we hypothesize that internal digital capability enabled by electronic health records, external digital capability enabled by health information exchanges, and a differentiated governance structure enhance resource utilization uncertainty reduction. Further, we hypothesize that a centralized governance structure enhances resource utilization uncertainty reduction when hospitals have a strong internal or external digital capability. Based on the 2017 American Hospital Association dataset, our results support main effects of digital capability and a differentiated governance structure, but not the posited interaction effects. These findings contribute to health IT literature by highlighting the impact of such technologies in combination with operational and strategic decisions on hospital performance. The study has relevance for hospital managers struggling to mitigate resource utilization uncertainty.

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