Self-control matters: Examining indirect use of hospital information systems and its control mechanisms

The indirect use of hospital information systems (HIS), that is, the indirect interaction of designated physicians with HIS by delegating HIT-related tasks to others, has become a popular phenomenon in hospitals. Indirect use frees physicians from busywork and helps them achieve improved productivity. However, the agency theory and organization literature indicate that the consequences of indirect use may depart from physicians’ expectations because of agency problems. To resolve such challenges, prior work places great emphasis on formal control and social control. Considering the nature of hospital settings, this study proposes that an agent’s self-control could also be a prominent control mechanism. To obtain a comprehensive understanding, this study builds a research model that depicts the impacts of three control mechanisms and their interplays on indirect use performance. The proposed methodology and preliminary findings are also discussed to provide insights into how to conduct indirect use efficiently and effectively.