This research presents an application of a mixed narrative review, including grey literature, to broaden knowledge about the value of educational management information systems (EMIS) for accountability in higher education institutions (HEIs). The review was focused in understanding the relationships among quality management (QM), EMIS use and accountability. Analyzing 39 documents produced between 1990 and 2018, we confirm the tight QM-EMIS use-accountability relationship. A weak link between QM and EMIS use was found, resulting in a low accountability level, nevertheless e-maturity successfully describes the link between QM and EMIS use and legitimizes the HEIs in the society. Finally, the value of mixed narrative reviews, including gray literature, is demonstrated in the fields of management information systems and higher education.