Value, power, and health care services in the UK: A business-to-business services network perspective

Abstract

The interactions between value and power in networks of buyer–seller relationships in a quasi-market have been explored during this research, thus beginning to provide empirical evidence in an area that has not previously received detailed attention. Three in-depth case studies were undertaken in the UK National Health Service. In these case studies, the complex sets of relationships between the purchasers and providers of community health care (this includes health visiting, district nursing, and therapies such as chiropody and physiotherapy) were investigated. The findings reveal a number of adaptations that have resulted from the complex set of power and value interactions within the network. The findings confirm that value and power need to be considered from both a dyadic and network perspective and illustrate that business-to-business marketing principles can make a valid contribution to the health care debate.