Social Responsibility, Communication and Financial Data of Hospitals: A Structural Modelling Approach in a Sustainability Scope

Abstract

Health is one of the fundamental pillars of public management and should be one of the main objectives of any society that pursues true progress and well-being for its citizens. In recent years, the public health system has been seeking collaborative synergies with the private health system to achieve efficient functioning at the levels of care demand, waiting lists and financial pressure. For this reason, private entities in the hospital field must be analysed through the application of information systems comprised of financial and non-financial indicators. In this organizational context, economic and financial data, communication, and social responsibility are essential to correctly manage the performance of hospital companies. Drawing on stakeholder and dynamic capabilities theories, we have defined a conceptual model that proposes that a greater predisposition to social responsibility actions by hospitals could explain communication practices and economic and financial results. Thus, the main objective of this study is to determine the possible relationship between three important aspects in the management of hospital companies: social responsibility, communication, and economic and financial results. Partial least square technique was applied to estimate a structural equation model to analyse a sample of 122 hospitals operating in Spain. This paper also analyses how communication mediates the relationship between social responsibility and economic and financial results. The main results empirically validate a model that links and predicts the social responsibility actions undertaken by these companies, which are directly related to the business communication that is carried out and the economic and financial results. Related to the implications, managers could adopt strategies once they know that they will contribute to improve their relationships with stakeholders and shareholders.