The Contribution of Emerging Technologies to Performance Management Systems in Healthcare sector

This doctoral thesis critically and systematically investigates the role of emerging technologies—particularly Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)—in transforming Performance Management (PM) systems within the public healthcare sector. Starting from a solid theoretical foundation that examines the evolution of New Public Management, the concept of public value, and recent multidimensional PM models, the study explores how digital transformation is reshaping both strategic and operational dimensions of performance management in healthcare. The research is structured along three main directions: (1) a systematic literature review on the role of ICTs in healthcare PM, identifying key contributions and research gaps; (2) an empirical analysis of the Integrated Plans of Activities and Organization (PIAOs) of Sicilian Local Health Authorities, focusing on the integration of digital strategies and emerging issues; and (3) a methodological application of Sentiment Analysis to assess the perceived impact of healthcare services, expanding performance measurement to include non-beneficiaries. The findings highlight how the integration of digital technologies into PM systems can foster public value creation, enhance transparency, support evidence-based decision-making, and contribute to a more inclusive and adaptive performance cycle. The thesis offers an interpretative framework linking emerging technologies to different stages of the PM cycle, with implications for both academic research and healthcare management practice.