Cultural and dynamic capabilities factors facilitating digital transformation of healthcare services

Abstract

Background Digital transformation of healthcare services was slow until the COVID-19 pandemic, however, global lockdown urged healthcare providers to accelerate the utilisation of advanced technologies in healthcare services. While the researchers focused on the role of technologies, the role of culture as an antecedent of dynamic capabilities responsible for digitalisation of the services, was undermined. Purpose The purpose of the paper is to explore the cultural and dynamic capabilities factors facilitating the digital transformation of healthcare services across three different countries. Methodology/Approach The exploratory multiple case study research design was applied, and data collected in Lithuania, the United States, and Spain. The multiple case study is based on 63 interviews of healthcare providers, start-ups, patients and secondary data analysis across three countries. Results Comparative analysis of the cultural dimensions, dynamic capabilities and performance of the digital healthcare services in Lithuania, California (United States), and Catalonia (Spain) shows that there is a tendency for strong dynamic capabilities to stimulate the more advanced performance of digital healthcare services. In addition, the manifestation of certain cultural dimensions, such as high masculinity and indulgency, might contribute to fostering dynamic capabilities. Conclusion Cultural context matters for developing strong dynamic capabilities in healthcare providers and, in turn, more advanced performance of digital healthcare services. Practice implications In order to accelerate the performance of digital healthcare services, healthcare providers are recommended to enhance dynamic capabilities, paying attention to the specifics of the national cultural dimensions.