The Strategic Role of ICT in the Competition between Public and Private Health Care Sectors in the Nordic Welfare Societies--Case Finland

Since the beginning of 1990s the health care sector in the Nordic countries has significantly increased its investments in information and communications technology (ICT). As such, major spending on ICT is not exceptional – indeed, 40 % of European industrial and commercial investments goes into ICTs. However, the goals for ICT expenditure are different in the private and public sector. Investments in the public sector are not usually intended to improve the competitive position, as is the case in the private sector. But on the other hand, like in private sector they are expected to increase effectiveness. In this article we firstly discuss the role of public health care services as a base of a welfare society in the Nordic countries. Next we present the theoretical framework the resource-based -approach then applying the theory to our empirical findings. Finally we draw conclusions about the compatibility of the two. We start by explaining the health care situation generally in the Nordic countries and later use Finland as a case country.