Table 2 Overview of the steps of analysis in relation to the research questions

Is there a gradient between the CIOs’ and DoNs’ awareness-knowledge?

(1.) Comparison of group-means for the reported number of available IT functions regarding the CIO and the DoNs using a paired t-test.

(2.) Comparison of group-means/ranks between the two professional groups on the level of IT functions using the Wilcoxon-test.

(3.) Visualisation of the relative strength of disagreement via contingently tables for each IT function.

(4.) Calculation of the relative strength of the non-directional disagreement for each IT function.

Is this gradient uniform from CIOs to DoNs respectively vice versa or does this gradient vary?

(5.) Calculation of the direction of disagreement between CIOs and DoNs for each IT function.

(6.) Calculation of the relative strength of directional disagreement between CIOs and DoNs for each IT function.

Are there certain HIT attributes that are associated with a lower or higher gradient?

(7.) Categorisation of IT functions according to the HIT attributes “market penetration” and “relevance” and calculation of disagreement scores for each type of IT functions.

(8.) Testing for significant differences of the disagreement scores between different types of IT functions - classified by the relevant HIT attributes - using a t-test.

Which determinants of diffusion go along with this gradient and is there an interaction between determinants of diffusion and HIT attributes?

(9.) Computation of correlations between the disagreement scores for all IT functions respectively for each type of IT function and the determinants of diffusion “inter-professional teamwork” and “IT service density”. Correlation between the determinants of diffusion and hospital characteristics.