The impact of information technology on a section of the Australian health care industry

This paper presents the results of a survey of senior and middle managers from the Southern Health Care Network in Victoria, Australia. The survey was conducted to determine whether IT is used as a strategic tool to meet competitive issues within the health care industry. A detailed interview was also conducted with the senior manager of information systems for the Southern Health Care Network. The research sought to identify the strategic IT issues facing the health care sector, whether IT was currently used as a source of competitive advantage within the network or by competitors, key factors for successful IT implementation and any impediments to taking full advantage of IT. The research identified a lack of understanding of IT options and potential benefits in this industry. It also determined that there was little or no awareness of the competitive advantage that could be achieved through IT. The role of IT within the network was found to be constrained at the level of providing a supporting infrastructure for users rather than one of being pivotal for organisational strategic advantage.