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1 – 10 of over 36000Nimesh P. Bhojak, Suresh N. Patel and Mohammadali K. Momin
Digital healthcare once again emerges due to pandemic (Covid-19). Digital healthcare can be minimising the issue of accessibility, availability, accuracy and affordability of…
Abstract
Digital healthcare once again emerges due to pandemic (Covid-19). Digital healthcare can be minimising the issue of accessibility, availability, accuracy and affordability of healthcare service during a pandemic. Digital healthcare playsa significant role to provide healthcare equity during the pandemic. This article presents the current trends and scenario of digital healthcare with a focus on health equity. The main objective of this chapter is to review the four aces of health equity in the digital healthcare literature. The scope and challenges faced by the policymakers to implementation of digital healthcare to improve health equity. This chapter considers the hybrid literature review based on the bibliometric and the systematic literature based on the various theme, sub-theme, concept and context-related health equity through digital healthcare. This study provides the previous and current research trends and preposition for the future researcher, healthcare professional, policymakers and digital healthcare innovators to invent the tool which leads the health equity through the digital healthcare in the healthcare.
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Daan Kabel, Jason Martin and Mattias Elg
The integration of industry 4.0 has become a priority for many organizations. However, not all organizations are suitable and capable of implementing industry 4.0 because it…
Abstract
Purpose
The integration of industry 4.0 has become a priority for many organizations. However, not all organizations are suitable and capable of implementing industry 4.0 because it requires a dynamic and flexible implementation strategy. The implementation of industry 4.0 often involves overcoming several tensions between internal and external stakeholders. This paper aims to explore the paradoxical tensions that arise for health-care organizations when integrating industry 4.0. Moreover, it discusses how a paradox lens can support the conceptualization and proposes techniques for handling tensions during the integration of industry 4.0.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative and in-depth study draws upon 32 semi-structured interviews. The empirical case concerns how two health-care organizations handle paradoxical tensions during the integration of industry 4.0.
Findings
The exploration resulted in six recurring technology tensions: technology invention (modularized design vs. flexible design), technology collaboration (automation vs. human augmentation), technology-driven patient experience (control vs. autonomy), technology uncertainty (short-term experimentation vs. long-term planning), technology invention and diffusion through collaborative efforts among stakeholders (selective vs. intensive collaboration) and technological innovation (market maintenance vs. disruption).
Originality/value
A paradox theory-informed conceptual model is proposed for how to handle tensions during the integration of industry 4.0. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to introduce paradox theory for quality management, including lean and Six Sigma.
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Elena Laurenza, Michele Quintano, Francesco Schiavone and Demetris Vrontis
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the extant literature regarding the exploitation of digital technologies by illustrating how this type of IT can influence business…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the extant literature regarding the exploitation of digital technologies by illustrating how this type of IT can influence business process improvements in the healthcare industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reports an illustrative case study for MSD Italy, the Italian subsidiary of the USA-based company Merck & Co., Inc. The group sells drugs for human use in Italy but is also active in the veterinary (MSD Animal Health) industry, with Vree Health, and in solutions and software-based services for the healthcare industry.
Findings
The results show that the adoption of digital technologies could improve the performance of main healthcare business processes, particularly those processes that can be simplified with the adoption of information technology. More specifically, digital technologies could increase efficiency and, at the same time, allow for the delivery of better quality and reduced response times, with many benefits for several stakeholders, such as national health systems, clinicians and patients.
Originality/value
Although some studies report the need for effective business processes for sustainable healthcare systems, there is a lack of literature regarding the specific implications of the adoption of such digital technologies for the business process management of healthcare firms. This paper attempts to fill in this gap.
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Helen Bocking, Rebekah Russell-Bennett and Kate Letheren
The use of supportive digital technology – the provision of supportive services and self-management health tools using digital platforms – by marketers is increasing alongside…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of supportive digital technology – the provision of supportive services and self-management health tools using digital platforms – by marketers is increasing alongside research interest in the topic. However, little is known about the motivations to use these tools and which tool features provide different forms of social support (informational, emotional, instrumental, network or esteem). The purpose of this paper is thus to explore consumer perceptions of supportive healthcare self-management and preferences for different levels of interactive features as social support in a health services context.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach involving 30 semi-structured interviews with consumers interested in two common preventative health services that use supportive digital tools (SDTs) (skin-cancer checks and sexually transmitted infection checks) was undertaken. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the verbatim transcripts.
Findings
This research identified there is a lack of motivation to initiate the search for SDTs; consumers are motivated by a desire to control and monitor health concerns and avoid overuse of the health system. The findings showed a preference for social support to go beyond informational support, with a need for interactivity that personalised support in a proactive manner.
Research limitations/implications
SDTs are positively perceived by consumers as part of health services. The motivation to use these tools is complex, and the social support needed is multifaceted and preferably interactive.
Practical implications
This research assists service marketers to better design informational and instrumental support for preventative self-managed healthcare services.
Originality/value
This paper extends knowledge about the motivation and social support required from SDTs in a preventative health service context.
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Santosh Kumar Shrivastav and Surajit Bag
The purpose of this study is to examine various data sources to identify trends and themes in humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) in the digital age.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine various data sources to identify trends and themes in humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, various data sources such as published literature and social media content from Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and forums are used to identify trending topics and themes on HSCM using topic modelling.
Findings
The study examined 33 published literature and more than 94,000 documents, including tweets and expert opinions, and identified eight themes related to HSCM in the digital age namely “Digital technology enabled global partnerships”, “Digital tech enabled sustainability”, “Digital tech enabled risk reduction for climate changes and uncertainties”, “Digital tech enabled preparedness, response and resilience”, “Digital tech enabled health system enhancement”, “Digital tech enabled food system enhancement”, “Digital tech enabled ethical process and systems” and “Digital tech enabled humanitarian logistics”. The study also proposed a framework of drivers, processes and impacts for each theme and directions for future research.
Originality/value
Previous research has predominantly relied on published literature to identify emerging themes and trends on a particular topic. This study is unique because it examines the ability of social media sources such as blogs, websites, forums and published literature to reveal evolving patterns and trends in HSCM in the digital age.
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Bishwajit Nayak, Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya and Bala Krishnamoorthy
Social health insurance framework of any country is the national identifier of the country’s policy for taking care of its population which cannot access or afford quality…
Abstract
Purpose
Social health insurance framework of any country is the national identifier of the country’s policy for taking care of its population which cannot access or afford quality healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the strategic imperatives of digital technology for the inclusive social health models for the BoP customers.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative exploratory study using in-depth personal interviews with 53 Indian health insurance CXOs was conducted with a semi-structured questionnaire. Using MaxQDA software, the interview transcripts were analyzed by means of thematic content analysis technique and patterns identified based on the expert opinions.
Findings
A framework for the strategic imperatives of digital technology in social health insurance emerged from the study highlighting three key themes for technology implementation in the social health insurance sector – analytics for risk management, cost optimization for operations and enhancement of customer experience. The study results provide key insights about how insurers can enhance the coverage of BoP population by leveraging technology.
Social implications
The framework would help health insurers and policymakers to select strategic choices related to technology that would enable creation of inclusive health insurance models for BoP customers.
Originality/value
The absence of specific studies highlighting the strategic digital imperatives in social health insurance creates a unique value proposition for this framework which can help health insurers in developing a convergence in their risk management and customer delight objectives and assist the government in the formulation of a sustainable social health insurance framework.
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Kioomars Ashtarian and Manal Etemadi
The importance of champion leaders including tech-savvy leaders to digital government has been highlighted in the literature. Meanwhile, what was in the authors’ interest to…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of champion leaders including tech-savvy leaders to digital government has been highlighted in the literature. Meanwhile, what was in the authors’ interest to explore was the role of business-savvy leaders or non-governmental digital champions as units of analysis, those who mobilized people's interest in digitalization and bypassed governmental barriers through this popular mobilization. They could be considered policy entrepreneurs for understanding policy change in the digitalization of the health sector. This study sought to shed light on the barriers and drivers of digital health in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers conducted interviews with actors of digital health businesses in Iran, including the Health Information Technology Center affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) administrative body and authorities, private companies active in digital health and health service providers. The purposive sampling method was applied, and 15 experts with relevant and valuable experiences as well as maximum variation to obtain representativeness and rich data were interviewed. Trustworthiness criteria were also used to assure the quality of the results. The data were analyzed based on directed content analysis using the MAXQDA10 software.
Findings
It was found out how popular diffusion was effective to overcome barriers to health digitalization. Access to the internet and diffusion of information technology helped the net-enabled businesses to connect directly to people and provide services to them. Diffusion of these services forced the public sector to adjust itself, and thus MOHME banned digital consultation services because of the so-called “insecure and unknown physicians”, following the increased popularity of digital services diffusion, but they were not able to resist popular diffusion of new technology. Hence, it was allowed to work. The main barriers to telemedicine spreading in Iran have been divided into five main categories including government incapacity for digital health governance, conflict of interest, professional obligations for information transparency, protection of patients' rights and data security and privacy.
Originality/value
As a game changer in digital health governance in Iran, popular diffusion will determine the future of digital health. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first ones to explore digital health governance in relation to the private digital health business in Iran with a public policy approach.
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Rahul Khandelwal, Ashutosh Kolte and Matteo Rossi
The Covid-19 pandemic encourages organized structures across health sectors to react to the outbreak and digital health technologies have been identified as promising pillars to…
Abstract
Purpose
The Covid-19 pandemic encourages organized structures across health sectors to react to the outbreak and digital health technologies have been identified as promising pillars to respond to the outbreak across the globe. The purpose of this study is to address the scoping review aimed at identifying the innovative entrepreneurial opportunities in digital health-care ecosystems. The study highlights the barriers to digital health in developing countries. The study is a forum for the introduction of entrepreneurship prospects in the Indian sense through other foreign readers in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
This archival study highlights topical literature to explore successful ways of improving market potential in developed countries with respect to digital health. The research offers insights into how a digital health environment could be applied, provides a trajectory that concentrates on key skills and a creative approach.
Findings
Health service providers require developing their competency and skills to accelerate and enhance their entrepreneurial opportunities. Social network dynamics analyzes are particularly helpful in modeling pandemic trends and in tracking post-pandemic digital health needs. The acceptability of digital solutions has to be confronted across developing countries especially in rural areas and a collective public health benefit in form of entrepreneurship to serve the society.
Research limitations/implications
The research temporarily indicates a creative solution to entrepreneurship in developed countries that can be applied in today’s digital arena.
Originality/value
To raise public understanding of the advantages of digital health systems in developed regions, health education and promotion campaigns should be focused. The idea analysis can be useful benchmarks for policymakers rather than digital health jurisdictions. The post-pandemic provides developed countries a great opportunity for advanced technology to expand connectivity and networking to digital health entrepreneurship.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to a new regular series for this journal, Mental Health and Social Inclusion, on digital innovations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to a new regular series for this journal, Mental Health and Social Inclusion, on digital innovations.
Design/methodology/approach
In this first of a regular series of articles, this paper introduces the reader to the area of digital technology to support mental health and why it is important.
Findings
Technological developments and the recent COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to an increasing interest and adoption of digital innovations to support people’s mental health, from both service providers and service users.
Research limitations/implications
This regular series will look at research into digital technologies for support of mental health and well-being.
Practical implications
The series will also consider the implications of various digital technologies for the support of mental health and well-being for different groups of people.
Social implications
Different technologies, approaches and points of view will be considered in relation to their impact on mental health and well-being.
Originality/value
Over the past ten years the author has developed an interest in the use of digital technologies to support mental health. The author has recently edited a book, published by IGI Global, on the topic and feels it is an important regular topic for the Journal of Mental Health and Social Inclusion.
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Quazi Tafsirul Islam, Jashim Uddin Ahmed and Afnan Sayed
Digitization is the process of transforming analog systems into digital ones, and it has become a crucial factor in the sustainable development of emerging economies. Although…
Abstract
Digitization is the process of transforming analog systems into digital ones, and it has become a crucial factor in the sustainable development of emerging economies. Although implementing digitization may be challenging due to limited budgets, missing strategies, pushback from employees, and the existing organizational structure, it can bring multifaceted benefits to the economy, such as improved employment and income, enhanced access to knowledge and education, and reduced costs for companies and countries. Moreover, digitization can significantly impact economic growth, as it can create new job opportunities, foster innovation, and improve infrastructure, among other benefits. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global agenda for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future by 2030, and digital technologies have become increasingly important in addressing the challenges of achieving these goals, particularly for emerging economies. However, achieving these ambitious goals presents significant challenges, particularly for emerging economies. Hence, this literature review aims to discuss the potential impact of digital technologies on the implementation of the SDGs in emerging economies, supported by scholarly research and opinions. In conclusion, digital technologies have significant potential to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by promoting economic growth and innovation while also promoting sustainability, creating a more prosperous and equitable world for all.
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