Intangible resources as performance drivers in European hospitals
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 1 January 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of intangible resources in the performance management of European hospitals. The extent of the awareness of intangible resources as performance drivers is examined in five different European hospitals, from both the private and the public sector.
Design/methodology/approach
An inductive approach was taken based on open ended, semi‐structured interviews with key informants.
Findings
Research results indicate that hospitals' managers realise the importance of intangible resources. In particular these relate to three different areas, namely the management of hospitals' human resources, the creation of relationships within and outside the organisation, and the measurement of individual performance.
Research limitations/ implications
This research is exploratory in nature. Further and deeper research is needed which focuses on the identification of the most relevant resources in hospitals and their impact on performance. Both will then justify the integration of these intangible resources in performance measurement systems.
Originality/value
This research gives insights into the awareness of intangible resources in different European hospitals. It explores the use of intangible resources in performance measurement systems. Much of the research in this area has been concentrated on the private commercial sector, linked to creating shareholder value, and this paper adds to the newly developing research looking at hospital settings.
Keywords
Citation
Zigan, K., Macfarlane, F. and Desombre, T. (2008), "Intangible resources as performance drivers in European hospitals", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 57 No. 1, pp. 57-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410400810841236
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited