Electronic health records using a resource advantage theory perspective: an interdisciplinary literature review

• Published in: Records management journal (London, England) Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 126 - 150
• Main Authors: Malhan, Amit, Manuj, Ila, Pelton, Lou, Pavur, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 01.06.2022; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Baby boomers; Competition; Competitive advantage; Efficiency; Electronic health records; Health care expenditures; Health care policy; Hospitals; Information technology; Literature reviews; Medicaid; Medicare; Operations management; Patient satisfaction; Supply chain management; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Health-care policy; Resource advantage theory; Hospital financial performance; Electronic health record (EHR)
• ISSN: 0956-5698; 1758-7689
• DOI: 10.1108/RMJ-06-2021-0026

Purpose Warren Buffett asserted that the greatest issue confronting American business and the economy is rising health-care costs, which have risen to 17% of gross domestic product. Public policymakers, health-care providers and other stakeholders grapple with cost-containment and increased health-care delivery efficiencies. There exists a paucity of theory-driven research addressing how information technology vis-à-vis electronic health records (EHR) may supply a managerial mechanism for increasing bottom-line hospital performance, thereby attaining competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach A systematic interdisciplinary literature review motivated by resource advantage theory (RAT) offers a conceptual foundation for analyzing the financial, informational and physical workflows that are core elements of supply chain management in a hospital. Findings RAT links how EHR impacts profitability, competitive advantage and macromarketing factors in hospital supply chains. The literature review provides a research synthesis of the implementation and adoption of EHR to reveal its impact on a hospital’s competitive advantage. Although legislative initiatives like the 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and the Affordable Care Act encourage EHR adoption, there remains a reluctance for hospitals to do so. Originality/value The extant literature precedes the relevant legislation, has incomplete data or focuses solely on patient outcomes.