Internationalization of health care services : Networking aspects

Abstract: Principles of business management are increasingly being used to analyze health care systems. Conceptualizing health care as business networks offers the possibility to apply the ARA model of Actors, Resources and Activities to understand the functioning of the system. We have used this model to study the phenomenon of networking in cross-border care using Uppsala University Hospital as a research case. The aim of the study was to understand actor’s perceptions of networking activities and how these related with international sales of health care services. We collected primary data through five interviews with managers involved in internationalization and a survey study with 26 managers at the hospital. Secondary data on patient flows and research activity was collected from hospital and university records. The main actors identified in the health care networks are doctors with professional identity being an important facilitating factor. Patient´s role as active participators in the system is increasing while researchers, innovators and key opinion leaders are also important. Networking activities consist of knowledge transfer via lecturing, meetings and external consulting activities. Resources in the form of supporting clinics, research centers and administrative services correlate positively with the level of internationalization. The study identifies networking activities as important for internationalization and cross-border sales of health care services. We conclude that the ARA model is a valuable instrument for analyzing cross border activities and internationalization of health care.