IT ambidexterity and patient agility: the mediating role of digital dynamic capability

TL;DR

This study explores how hospital departments can leverage IT ambidexterity to develop digital dynamic capabilities, which in turn enhance patient agility, thereby improving healthcare responsiveness.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking IT ambidexterity, digital dynamic capability, and patient agility, validated with empirical data from Dutch hospitals.

Findings

IT ambidexterity significantly develops digital dynamic capabilities.

Digital dynamic capabilities positively influence patient agility.

The model is validated using structural equation modeling.

Abstract

Despite a wealth of attention for information technology (IT)-enabled transformation in healthcare research, limited attention has been given to ITs role in developing specific organizational capabilities to respond to patients their needs and wishes adequately. This paper investigates how hospital departments can leverage the equivocal capacity to explore and exploit IT resources and practices, i.e., IT ambidexterity, to adequately sense and respond to patients their needs and demands, i.e., patient agility. Following the dynamic capabilities view, this research develops a research model and tests it accordingly using data obtained from 107 clinical hospital departments from the Netherlands through an online survey. The hypothesized relationships are tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The outcomes demonstrate the significance of IT ambidexterity in developing a digital dynamic capability that, in turn, positively influences patient agility. The study outcomes can be used to transform clinical practice and contribute to the current IS knowledge base.