The open nature of innovation in the hospital sector: The role of external collaboration networks

The paper aims to identify the main drivers of innovation in the hospital sector. It further explores the mechanisms shaping how open hospitals are to external collaboration towards innovation. The paper pulls together data on organizational flexibility and innovation from 95 hospitals from the public sector in Portugal, collected through a survey and interviews to hospital boards. The main findings suggest that external cooperation is the major driver of innovation, while technology is rather seen as an enabler of innovation in hospitals. Results also highlight knowledge management, trust building, communication and focus on the user as the major mechanisms for opening up innovation.Within the context of open innovation, hospitals jointly with other health services, universities and users have the opportunity to shape policy and practice to accelerate innovation. Incentives are needed to drive systemic and cultural changes, as well as to establish a common platform for external.

► The paper reveals the open nature of innovation in the hospital sector.
► External cooperation is the major driver of innovation.
► Technology is rather seen as an enabler of innovation in hospitals.
► Knowledge management and focus on the user are key mechanisms for opening up innovation.