The path from big data analytics capabilities to value in hospitals: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Informatics
• Data Science

Background:

• Healthcare organizations are increasingly producing big data due to health information technology adoption.
• Hospitals are investing in big data analytics (BDA) capabilities, yet value creation pathways are unclear.
• This study reviews research on BDA use in hospitals to understand the link between capabilities and value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the path from big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) to value creation in hospitals.
• To identify the challenges hospitals face in generating value from BDAC.
• To synthesize existing research on BDA implementation in healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following Arksey and O'Malley's 5-stage framework.
• Systematic literature search in Scopus and Web of Science.
• Data extraction using an analytical framework based on the resource-based view of the firm.

Main Results:

• 94 out of 1,478 articles were included, primarily experimental research in medical and computer science journals.
• Key value targets for BDA include improving decision-making (56 studies) and driving innovation (52 studies).
• While benefits are expected, few studies report realized value (19 studies), highlighting a gap between potential and actual outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Big data analytics (BDA) offers significant value creation potential in hospitals.
• Organizational challenges hinder hospitals from realizing tangible benefits from BDAC development.
• Future research should focus on aligning BDA and organizational strategies and enhancing capabilities for knowledge generation and assimilation.