The role of governance between digital technology and healthcare performance

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of digital technologies on healthcare performance and the moderating role of governance in both developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The analysis covers data from 2013 to 2020 and employs the generalized method of moments estimation technique. Findings Empirically, the study confirms that digital technology enhances healthcare performance in developed countries, while it diminishes performance in developing countries. In response to the declining healthcare performance in developing countries, the study extends the analysis by incorporating an interaction term between digital technology and governance. The results provide evidence that governance plays a significant moderate role in the relationship between digital technology and healthcare performance. In developed countries, governance further enhances healthcare performance, while in developing countries, it helps transform the negative impact of digital technologies into a positive one. Research limitations/implications As a result, the adoption of digital technologies must be accompanied by effective and efficient governance to strengthen healthcare performance in both developed and developing countries. Originality/value While the benefits and challenges of digital technologies in healthcare have been widely explored, empirical studies that examine the moderating influence of governance in this context remain unexplored.