The role of top management in supporting the use of information technology in Australian hospitals.

The progressive use of information systems and information technology has the potential to transform the way complex organisations are managed and the way they operate. This article reports the findings of a study undertaken to examine the importance of various factors related to the progressive use of information technology in Australian hospitals. Our analysis of data from 84 hospitals shows that hospital size has a significant positive relationship with the progressive use of information technology, as does the chief executive officer's attitude to information technology; however chief executive officer participation in information technology activities does not. The implications of these findings for the role of top management are discussed.