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The Information Transparency Effects of Introducing League Tables in the Health System in Malawi
Author(s) -
Moyo Christon,
Kaasbøll Jens,
Nielsen Petter,
Sæbø Johan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the electronic journal of information systems in developing countries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1681-4835
DOI - 10.1002/j.1681-4835.2016.tb00544.x
Subject(s) - transparency (behavior) , league , league table , table (database) , computer science , information system , visibility , process (computing) , process management , knowledge management , data science , business , engineering , data mining , geography , computer security , physics , astronomy , classical economics , meteorology , electrical engineering , economics , operating system
League tables are used to compare the performance of different entities in the health systems in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to study the implementation process and its effects related to a computerized league table application in Malawi. Focusing on the health district and using a field experiment research approach, the focus is on the implementation process and how it improves information transparency for health managers. Based on routine health data recording in the health management information system DHIS2, the introduced league table was used by the district health management teams in the pilot districts to rank and compare performance among their health facilities. While the introduction of the league tables was challenging, it also showed its potential through effects including improved visibility of information and accessibility for managers, better understanding of indicators, the identification of data quality issues, skills acquisition in computing and information use and improved communication and collaboration among stakeholders.