Electronic Discovery and the Adoption of Information Technology

36 Pages Posted: 18 Jun 2009 Last revised: 5 Feb 2014

See all articles by Amalia R. Miller

Amalia R. Miller

University of Virginia - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Catherine E. Tucker

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Management Science (MS)

Date Written: November 1, 2011

Abstract

After firms adopt electronic information and communication technologies, their decision-making leaves a trail of electronic information that may be more extensive and accessible than a paper trail. We ask how the threat of litigation affects decisions to adopt technologies that leave more of an electronic trail, by exploring the case of electronic medical records (EMRs). EMRs allow hospitals to document electronically both patient symptoms and health providers' reactions to those symptoms. We find evidence that hospitals are one-third less likely to adopt EMRs if there are state rules that facilitate the use of electronic records in court.

Keywords: healthcare IT, electronic discovery, technology adoption, medical malpractice

JEL Classification: I12, I18, K13, O33

Suggested Citation

Miller, Amalia R. and Tucker, Catherine E., Electronic Discovery and the Adoption of Information Technology (November 1, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1421244 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1421244

Amalia R. Miller

University of Virginia - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 400182
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4182
United States

HOME PAGE: http://people.virginia.edu/~am5by/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Catherine E. Tucker (Contact Author)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Management Science (MS) ( email )

100 Main St
E62-536
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States

HOME PAGE: http://cetucker.scripts.mit.edu

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