The use and design of the BSC in the health care sector: A systematic literature review for Italy, Spain, and Portugal

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2018 Jan;33(1):6-30. doi: 10.1002/hpm.2415. Epub 2017 May 5.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of how the balanced scorecard (BSC) has evolved in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. It reviews all the articles on the BSC in the health care sector written between 1992 and 2015 by Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese authors and published in Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese as well as in English. Our study first shows the state of knowledge on BSC in health care for a homogeneous group of Southern European countries. Second, it uncovers the perspectives, indicators, and generation used in the countries under observation to reveal the extent to which this management tool has evolved. Third, it analyses international variations in design and use within the health care context, especially in the United States. Moreover, it also highlights a number of important issues. The BSC is in its early stage of development in these 3 countries, which do not use it as a tool to implement strategy and align all of the elements that help integrate the organization.

Keywords: Italy; Portugal; Spain; balanced scorecard; health care.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Sector / organization & administration
  • Health Care Sector / standards*
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care / organization & administration
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care / standards
  • Quality of Health Care / organization & administration
  • Quality of Health Care / standards*
  • Spain