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Understanding healthcare innovation systems: the Stockholm region case

Lisa-Marie Larisch (Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden)
Isis Amer-Wåhlin (Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden)
Patrik Hidefjäll (Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden)

Journal of Health Organization and Management

ISSN: 1477-7266

Article publication date: 21 November 2016

1374

Abstract

Purpose

There is an increasing interest in understanding how innovation processes can address current challenges in healthcare. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the wider socio-economic context and conditions for such innovation processes in the Stockholm region, using the functional dynamics approach to innovation systems (ISs).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on triangulation using data from 16 in-depth interviews, two workshops, and additional documents. Using the functional dynamics approach, critical structural and functional components of the healthcare IS were analyzed.

Findings

The analysis revealed several mechanisms blocking innovation processes such as fragmentation, lack of clear leadership, as well as insufficient involvement of patients and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, innovation is expected to occur linearly as a result of research. Restrictive rules for collaboration with industry, reimbursement, and procurement mechanisms limit entrepreneurial experimentation, commercialization, and spread of innovations.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the authors analyzed how certain functions of the functional dynamics approach to ISs related to each other. The authors grouped knowledge creation, resource mobilization, and legitimacy as they jointly constitute conditions for needs articulation and entrepreneurial experimentation. The economic effects of entrepreneurial experimentation and needs articulation are mainly determined by the stage of market formation and existence of positive externalities.

Social implications

Stronger user involvement; a joint innovation strategy for healthcare, academia, and industry; and institutional reform are necessary to remove blocking mechanisms that today prevent innovation from occurring.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide an analysis of the system of innovation in healthcare using a functional dynamics approach, which has evolved as a tool for public policy making. A better understanding of ISs in general, and in healthcare in particular, may provide the basis for designing and evaluating innovation policy.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. This study has been financially supported by Torsten Söderberg foundation, the Stockholm County Council, and Karolinska Institutet, which is gratefully acknowledged. None of the funding agencies have influenced the research process or the decision to publish the research.

Citation

Larisch, L.-M., Amer-Wåhlin, I. and Hidefjäll, P. (2016), "Understanding healthcare innovation systems: the Stockholm region case", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 30 No. 8, pp. 1221-1241. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-04-2016-0061

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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