شبکه مرکزی مدل های کسب و کار برای مراقبت های اجتماعی در اینترنت اشیا
Abstract
1- Introduction
2- Theoretical background
3- Research design and method
4- Presentation of the case studies
5- Analysis and cross-case comparison
6- Discussion and comparison with other cases
7- Conclusions and implications
References
Abstract
In this multiple case study we analyze solutions based on connected devices in the context of health, social care and wellbeing. Based on the consideration that a solution is a combination of services and products, we build on the notion that business models can be studied at a firm-level and also at a network-level. The network-level analysis is used to motivate the reasons why solutions emerging at the intersection of the healthcare and the ICT industries benefit from collaboration among different actors. We conclude that the firm- and the network-level development of business models provide alignment in the business network and are useful to establish the relation that technological component have with overall solutions. Our findings suggest that some component bring novelty in the final offer without affecting the ongoing operation, while other component aim at improving the internal working processes, with minimal effects on the final offer to end users. We discuss the benefits of a network-level perspective for each case.
Introduction
In this paper we analyze solutions based on connected devices in the context of health, social care, and wellbeing. By connected devices, we refer to sensors and wearable devices connected to the Internet. These devices are a fundamental aspect of the emerging Internet of Things (IoT), which is sometimes referred to as the next revolution for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (Porter & Heppelmann, 2014). Solutions based on the IoT generally include sensors that collect information which is sent and processed in cloud analysis engines. This information is then made available to different users and system. Considering the IoT as an enabling set of technologies, they make possible the development of solutions that provide flexibility, scalability, and novelty for customers and end users. In the healthcare context, the IoT is perceived as a key enabler for a transition towards preventive care and wellbeing solutions (Free et al., 2013; Schraefel & Churchill, 2014); aimed at the automation of working processes, reducing healthcare expenditures, and enabling novel services for the self-management of health. In practical terms, developing these services requires a combination of resources and competences from different fields (in particular, from healthcare sciences and ICT engineering). In other words, the value creation process is not limited to single firm boundaries; it is rather considered that value is co-created among different actors that belong to a network (Nenonen & Storbacka, 2010; Vargo, Wieland, & Akaka, 2015). As Hakanen and Jaakkola (2012) conclude, the effective cocreation requires customers and suppliers to understand and align preferences, needs, and capabilities. This is particularly relevant when solutions are developed at the intersection of different industries, where technology innovation needs to be combined with new concepts and ways to interact among actors (Bouwman, De Vos, & Haaker, 2008). The benefits of collaboration in business networks are a well investigated area. The topic finds a renewed interest in the development of solutions based on connected devices and the IoT, where there is a clear cross-industrial interest. It is uncommon for actors in the ICT domain to enter the healthcare market without a strong collaboration with actors that are already involved in the healthcare domain, and vice-versa.