Corporate social responsibility and technological perspectives in healthcare: An exploratory analysis of the evolution of the anti-corruption system through multiple case studies

Corruption is one of the main variables to be considered in corporate social responsibility (CSR) to guarantee the well-being of society in the long term. Information technology (IT) is able to reduce this phenomenon of corruption. However, no practical studies highlight the real effect on health organisations. This study ascertains the impact of a pilot project to prevent corruption and the introduction of new dedicated technologies in the healthcare organisation. It uses the association of institutional theory, information and communications technology (ICT), and new technologies to cover the gap and highlight the effect of an anti-corruption pilot project of International Transparency Italia in the healthcare sector. A longitudinal approach-based interventionist approach, coding of semi-structured open interviews and corporate anti-corruption plans using AltasIT from the 13 Health Organisations that joined the pilot project over a long term reveals that a positive effect spreads by mimetic approach within organisations. The study has detected open-access databases, changes in personnel and procurement management approach, information dissemination, citizen involvement and whistleblowing support change through technologies. More specifically, it examines the evolution of the anti-corruption system and the stakeholders' perceptions in healthcare organisations as a new form of social responsibility. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the only one that applies this perspective to the analysis of the anti-corruption process through CSR currently underway in healthcare institutions worldwide.