An emergent sectoral innovation system for healthcare services
International Journal of Public Sector Management
ISSN: 0951-3558
Article publication date: 5 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore, through a case study, and using Pawson and Tilley's notion of context-mechanism-outcome configurations, how a sectoral innovation system (SIS) for health technologies has developed.
Design/methodology/approach
The case study data were collected as part of a large study that looked at technology innovation and adoption in the UK's National Health Service and were collected using an interpretive case study methodology. Primary data came from interviews and secondary data from published sources, including articles authored by members of the innovation team.
Findings
The paper identifies three specific configurations of context, mechanism and outcome that were important in the case and discusses how these contribute to a broader understanding of a healthcare services SIS.
Research limitations/implications
Research conducted through a single case study is open to the criticism that its findings are not generalisable but it has offered an economical way of gaining a deep description of a situation and an understanding of the contextual factors affecting a phenomenon. The paper presents a refined model for understanding SISs that though primarily rooted within the healthcare care sector has potential for application in other sectors, especially those that encompass a significant public-sector component.
Practical implications
The paper's findings and conclusions have relevance to healthcare service innovation policy development. The findings will also be useful to professionals responsible for innovation projects and their support within the sector.
Originality/value
The paper makes an important contribution to the understanding of a SIS for healthcare services as well as refining a general model of SISs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper has grown out of a project funded by the National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation (NIHR SDO) programme (project number 08/1820/252). Visit the SDO programme website for more information. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the SDO programme, NIHR, NHS or the Department of Health.
Citation
Savory, C. and Fortune, J. (2014), "An emergent sectoral innovation system for healthcare services", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 512-529. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-03-2014-0036
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited