Integrating knowledge workers and the organization: the role of IT

Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv. 2001;14(6-7):245-53. doi: 10.1108/09526860110404185.

Abstract

Agency theory is primarily concerned with the relationship between the principal (employer/purchaser) and the agent (employee/contractor) in the issue of goal-aligned behavior. Jensen and Meckling and others were not referring to a knowledge worker agent in their conceptualization of the principal/agent relationship. The significance of having a knowledge worker agent is that the decision rights are no longer located with the principal but with the agent. This in turn has a tremendous bearing on goal alignment and agency problems. We propose that information systems/information technology (IS/IT), in particular enterprise wide systems, can alleviate these agency problems. We illustrate this through a case example from health care, an industry with a high proportion of knowledge worker agents.

MeSH terms

  • Contract Services / organization & administration*
  • Health Services Administration* / standards
  • Humans
  • Knowledge*
  • Managed Care Programs / organization & administration
  • Management Information Systems*
  • Medical Records Systems, Computerized
  • Models, Organizational
  • Ohio
  • Organizational Case Studies
  • Organizational Objectives
  • Staff Development*
  • Systems Integration*
  • Total Quality Management