摘要
Health institutions in the People’s Republic of Chinaare under considerable challenge. Innovations in management systems may support the challenge to increase both efficiency and effectiveness. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is one such innova-tion. We have used a model to explore the factors that may impact the diffusion of the BSC in Chinese government hospitals. In particular, we concentrate on three factors — the outer context, the nature of the innovation and the communication and influence. The outer context and the nature of the innovation do provide an inducement to implement a BSC. The strength of the communica-tion and influence may affect the level of take-up. However, we recognise that they may choose the BSC not for any apparent technical excellence but for the legitimation that Western man-agement practices may bring to local managers.
Health institutions in the People's Republic of China are under considerable challenge. Innovations in management systems may support the challenge to increase both efficiency and effectiveness. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is one such innovation. We have used a model to explore the factors that may impact the diffusion of the BSC in Chinese government hospitals. In particular, we concentrate on three factors - the outer context, the nature of the innovation and the communication and influence. The outer context and the nature of the innovation do provide an inducement to implement a BSC. The strength of the communication and influence may affect the level of take-up. However, we recognise that they may choose "the BSC not for any apparent technical excellence but for the legitimation that Western management practices may bring to local managers.