An exploratory study of value-centric business model innovation in connected health: a study from the Taiwanese healthcare sector

Abstract

The global phenomenon of the ageing population has made Healthcare a universal issue. As a result, Connected Health (CH) is proposed as a promising solution. However, there is a need to explore how CH can be sustainable from a business perspective and how to optimize it to meet the needs of those involved in the CH ecosystem. This research aims to explore and discover the core driving factors of sustaining innovation and in particular Business Model Innovation (BMI) based on the Taiwanese Connected Health Ecosystem.

The research methodology used to address the research aim and objectives was an exploratory theory building approach primarily using qualitative data from multi-stage semi-structured interviews (n=60 in total). First, pilot interviews (n=16) were held with key influencing stakeholders in the CH ecosystem. Second, stage one interviews (n=22) were conducted with the major stakeholders involved in the CH ecosystem in Taiwan. These interviews probe CH problems stated in the literature. They covered the cost, infrastructure, technology, business sustainability, BMI and collaboration and communication-related issues. The second stage interviews (n=22) were held one year later and addressed the gaps identified from the stage 1 interviews to discover systematic problems in CH and to probe longitudinal changes since the stage 1 interviews.

The results of stage one interview reveal CH’s feasibility and also indicate that leadership management is essential to achieve business sustainability. The stage two data analysis suggests that BMI issues are more important than solely that of technology capability. Efficiency will be increased if there are more integration and less bureaucracy. CH for people and cross-generation interaction may be able to motivate caregivers and receivers. The overall interview results imply that collaboration with technology and BMI is significant in engineering CH ecosystems in Taiwan by offering a holistic CH industry blueprint and vision.

This study makes a contribution to knowledge by exploring the nature of CH and by identifying the research gaps in the literature and exploring these in the Taiwan context. The findings are employed to establish a value-centric BMI system in CH and its strategies and applications. This system allows for the development, within CH, of many specific and possible business strategies and applications.

From a practical standpoint, this study indicates that Government should establish a platform and infrastructure in the CH environment in order to promote a patient interaction pathway. Academia can assist Government in designing it based on the findings from this research. It is suggested that industry should apply technology in promoting and delivering the care to the CH target market segment by absorbing the principles of Business Model Innovation and synthesizing their offerings with the target segment’s expectations.

Date of Award	Oct 2016
Original language	English
Supervisor	Rodney McAdam (Supervisor), Michael Brennan (Supervisor) & Shirley Davey (Supervisor)