Developing Environmental Scanning in Iranian Healthcare: A Comparative Review and a Proposed Model

Abstract

Context: In recent years, environmental scanning has attracted noteworthy attention within health research in healthcare organizations harnessing this technique to perform their operations. Objectives: This study aimed to compare environmental scanning models and provide a model for Iran’s health system. Evidence Acquisition: This qualitative and comparative research employed an applied purpose in four stages: Description, interpretation, juxtaposition, and comparison. The primary data collection tool was comparative tables to gather data by reviewing articles, documents, and books using scientific databases. The collected information was analyzed by the Beredy method. Results: The most significant models were presented by countries including Singapore, Canada, Iran, and the United States. Most health environmental scanning studies were conducted in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and England. Notably, esteemed researchers such as Albright, Daft, Xue Zhang, Choo, Costa, and Nezhadi introduced influential environmental scanning models. Conclusions: Environmental scanning is a powerful tool in decision-making and strategic planning for organizations, fundamentally impacting their survival and progress. The healthcare system’s general model for environmental scanning is presented in five steps. Based on the results, the environmental scanning model can enable managers and strategic teams to identify risks, opportunities, constraints, and threats and determine suitable strategies for organizational growth and success.