Healthcare Industry In Taiwan Research Articles

Evaluating the E-Health Cloud Computing Systems Adoption in Taiwan's Healthcare Industry.

Although the electronic health (e-health) cloud computing system is a promising innovation, its adoption in the healthcare industry has been slow. This study investigated the adoption of e-health cloud computing systems in the healthcare industry and considered security functions, management, cloud service delivery, and cloud software for e-health cloud computing systems. Although numerous studies have determined factors affecting e-health cloud computing systems, few comprehensive reviews of factors and their relations have been conducted. Therefore, this study investigated the relations between the factors affecting e-health cloud computing systems by using a multiple criteria decision-making technique, in which decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), DANP (DEMATEL-based Analytic Network Process), and modified VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) approaches were combined. The intended level of adoption of an e-health cloud computing system could be determined by using the proposed approach. The results of a case study performed on the Taiwanese healthcare industry indicated that the cloud management function must be primarily enhanced and that cost effectiveness is the most significant factor in the adoption of e-health cloud computing. This result is valuable for allocating resources to decrease performance gaps in the Taiwanese healthcare industry.

Normative Hand Strength of Healthcare Industry Workers in Central Taiwan

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to establish the norms of hand grip strength in the healthcare industry in Taiwan and propose models to predict the strength of hand movement by regression with demographic and anthropometric factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a stratified convenience sample of workers in healthcare service industries in central Taiwan. Three hundred twenty-nine healthy subjects were recruited. Strength of different hand movement were tested three times in both hands and rests were given between tests. Results: Female strength of these hand movement was 59.1% to 73.0% that in males (p < 0.001). In general, the hand strength of male workers in the healthcare industry was less than that of male workers in the manufacturing industry (p < 0.001). In the prediction model, sex and weight played important roles in predicting hand strength. Conclusions: The norms of different types of hand strength was investigated the first time in workers in the healthcare industry in Taiwan. The tasks performed by healthcare personnel vary widely, and this variable should be considered in a future prediction model.

A group decision-making approach for exploring trends in the development of the healthcare industry in Taiwan

The increased awareness of the importance of global healthcare which has formed an inseparable relationship with the quality of human life has led researchers to pay attention to trends in the development of the healthcare industry. This study identifies eight potential development trends designed to provide the healthcare industry with appropriate development strategy recommendations. The modified Z-numbers decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (called the modified Z-DEMATEL) technique is adapted to construct the mutual influential relationships and prioritize these trends. The Z-number method optimizes the conventional fuzzy numbers and increases the reliability of expert evaluations to reflect the confidence of the evaluation environment under uncertainty. The modified Z-DEMATEL provides a complete linguistic evaluation and its membership functions, and generates a set of influence weights of the criteria. Real healthcare development trends in Taiwan are taken as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that the internet of things and telemedicine are important future trends in Taiwan. This paper provides useful and reliable management suggestions to help the healthcare industry promote innovative technologies.

Medical big data applications: Intertwined effects and effective resource allocation strategies identified through IRA-NRM analysis

The development of information and communication technology has led to the rapid growth of medical data encountered by various players in healthcare industry. This evolution from a paper-based database to electronic records demonstrates the continuous advancement of medical information systems. Medical institutions are paying more attention to this issue and attempting to figure out the applications of big data. However, most of them have struggled to find pathways to apply big data adequately. Using hybrid methodologies and examining Taiwan's healthcare industry, this research aims to assess, forecast and summarize the major applications of medical big data, and establish strategic pathways for medical institutions to follow regarding different dimensions of applications. First, a review of literature related to the utility of medical big data and interviews with relevant stakeholders were conducted. Content analysis was subsequently done to extract the key applications, and DEMATEL was used to find out their Net Relation Map (NRM). With the Innovation Importance-Resistance Analysis (IRA), this study carried out IRA-NRM analysis to cultivate the strategy of medical big data development. This research concluded a IRA-NRM framework of 4 application categories and 16 factors. Suggestions for medical institutions regarding the use of medical big data are also provided.

Investigating radio-frequency identification usage behaviours and organisational performance according to factors of user perception

Information technology has developed rapidly in the past decades, in particular the use of service-oriented architectures, which have been widely adopted in Taiwan's healthcare industry. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most widely applied new technologies. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, this study investigated the effect of perceived security (PS) and privacy concerns (PC) on health professionals' RFID usage behaviour (UB), and the effect of UB on organisational performance (OP). A questionnaire survey was used and 410 valid questionnaires were returned. The results of path analysis revealed that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence, and facilitating conditions (FC) exert a significantly positive influence on UB; PS has a significantly positive effect on PE and PC; and UB exerts a significantly positive influence on OP. Different demographic variables also moderated the effect of PE, EE, and FC on RFID UB.

Medical tourism: New strategies for the health care industry in Taiwan

Medical tourism: New strategies for the health care industry in Taiwan

The effects of physicians’ personal characteristics on innovation readiness in Taiwan’s hospitals

This paper examines innovation in the healthcare industry in Taiwan. Specifically, we looked at how two critical factors (physicians’ creative traits and authoritarian personality) are related to innovation readiness within the medical care system in Taiwan. We argue that innovation readiness is the cognitive precursor to the behaviors supporting innovation. Additionally, we also examine the moderating effects of hospital types (teaching versus non-teaching hospitals) on these relationships. Data from 417 physicians belonging to 26 hospitals is used to test our hypotheses. Results show that the degree of innovation readiness a physician perceives is associated with both creative traits and authoritarian personality. With regard to the organizational variable, the evidence shows that of the specific kind of hospital is far less important than the people who work there when it comes to innovation readiness.

Improving RFID adoption in Taiwan's healthcare industry based on a DEMATEL technique with a hybrid MCDM model

The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has progressed tremendously in recent years. In the healthcare industry, the decision to adopt RFID technology is a problem requiring a multi-criteria decision analysis that involves both qualitative and quantitative factors. The evaluation of this decision may be based on imprecise information or uncertain data. Furthermore, there can be significant dependence and feedbacks between the different criteria and alternatives. However, most conventional decision models cannot capture these complex interrelationships. As a result, in this study we develop a general evaluation framework for industry evaluation, improvement and adoption of RFID. We use a hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method known as DDANPV that combines DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory), DANP (DEMATEL-based ANP), and VIKOR to evaluate the factors that influence the adoption of RFID. Specifically, we study the adoption of RFID in Taiwan's healthcare industry. We find that technology integration is the most influential criterion and the strongest driver in the adoption of RFID of Taiwan's healthcare industry.

Knowledge barriers, knowledge transfer, and innovation competitive advantage in healthcare settings

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the moderating role of information communication technology (ICT) competencies in enhancing knowledge transfer and mitigating the effects of two key knowledge barriers, namely knowledge stickiness and knowledge ambiguity, thereby increasing the firm's innovation competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out in the context of the healthcare industry in Taiwan. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed to hospitals and 112 usable responses were received, representing a response rate of 70 percent. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that ICT competencies do enhance knowledge transfer inside hospitals. Although knowledge stickiness and knowledge ambiguity have negative effects on knowledge transfer, the negative effects can be moderated by ICT competencies (defined in terms of competencies in computer‐assisted instruction, interactive videoconferencing, and hand‐held technology).Practical implicationsAmong the three ICT competencies, computer‐assisted instruction and hand‐held technology have the largest and smallest effects on the relationship between knowledge barriers and knowledge transfer. The results also allow decision makers for forward‐looking allocation of ICT competencies.Originality/valueThe study presents a valid model that comprises the antecedents, moderators (three specific types of ICT competencies), and consequences of knowledge transfer for innovation competitive advantage of healthcare organizations.

Quality improvement: perspectives on organizational learning from hospital-based quality control circles in Taiwan

The health care industry in Taiwan has faced many challenges in recent years. To tackle those challenges, many hospitals in Taiwan began using management techniques used in other industries. As a result, quality management has become important within Taiwan's health care industry. This study provides a perspective on how this health care industry, by developing both quality control circle (QCC) practices and organizational learning techniques, responded to those challenges. In this study, the authors conducted a comprehensive review of studies published between 1995 and 2007 in Taiwan. The review focused on the quality management, QCC, organizational learning and health care organization aspects reported in previous studies. The authors applied the 4Is (intuiting, interpreting, integrating and institutionalizing) conceptual framework of Crossan et al. (1999) (Crossan, M.M., H.W. Lane, and R.E. White. 1999. An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review 24, no. 3: 522–37). in their discussion of the linkage between quality improvement activities and organizational learning. The results revealed the existence of a link between organizational learning and QCC activities. In addition, the reviewed QCC activities facilitated organizational learning and contributed to health care quality improvements in the studied hospitals. Finally, QCC practices in hospitals facilitated dissemination of organizational learning concepts in those hospitals.

Does intellectual capital mediate the relationship between HRM and organizational performance? Perspective of a healthcare industry in Taiwan

Previous studies indicate that the linkage between human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance is tenuous. Some key intermediate elements evidently have not been accounted for. In an era where intangibles have become the source of wealth and progress, intellectual capital could be one of the missing links. Therefore, this study predicts that the three components of intellectual capital, namely, human capital, relational capital, and organizational capital, mediate the relationship between HRM practices and organizational performance. Data from 277 hospitals, with a response rate of 56%, confirm the mediation role of intellectual capital in explaining the effect of HRM practices on organizational performance.

Evaluating the business value of RFID: Evidence from five case studies

This paper presents an in-depth analysis toward understanding the business value components an organization can derive from adopting radio frequency identification (RFID). Although this subject is currently a hot topic, many organizations are slow in warming up to the idea of using RFID to conduct more effective and efficient business processes. We propose a framework for evaluating the business value of RFID technology, hoping that a better understanding of the business value of RFID will encourage more organizations to implement it. Emphasis is on delivering business value through refining business processes and expanding the business model. We illustrate these concepts drawing on the experience of five early adopters from the Taiwan healthcare industry and formulate this framework as a set of propositions based on relevant literature, cases from pioneers in the field and our intuition. These propositions will need to be validated through empirical evidence.

Benefiting from Networks by Occupying Central Positions

At issue is whether network resources imply some resources available to all members in networks or available only to those occupying structurally central positions in networks. In this article, two conceptual models, the additive and interaction models of the firm, are empirically tested regarding the impact of hospital resources, network resources, and centrality on hospital performance in the Taiwan health care industry. The results demonstrate that: (1) in the additive model, hospital resources and centrality independently affect performance, whereas network resources do not; and (2) no evidence supports the interaction effect of centrality and resources on performance. Based on our findings in Taiwanese practices, the extent to which the resources are acquired externally from networks, we suggest that while adopting interorganizational strategies, hospitals should clearly identify those important resources that reside in-house and those transferred from network partners. How hospitals access resources from central positions is more important than what network resources can hospitals acquire from networks. Hospitals should improve performance by exploiting its in-house resources rather than obtaining network resources externally. In addition, hospitals should not only invest in hospital resources for better performance but should also move to central positions in networks to benefit from collaborations.

Factors contributing to patient dumping in Taiwan

Objective Little research has been carried out to explore the issues surrounding patient dumping outside of the US. This study, therefore, uses a national research survey to examine the factors contributing to patient dumping within Taiwan. Methods A self-administered postal survey was undertaken to assess the prevalence of patient dumping in Taiwan, with the study subjects being superintendents of general hospitals. Data from the Bureau of Medical Affairs at the Department of Health in Taiwan were used in conjunction with the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to obtain estimates of factors potentially contributing to patient dumping. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationships between the perceived extent of patient dumping occurring within the respondents’ healthcare networks, as well as other factors, including the total number of hospitals, total number of hospital beds, the percentages of beds in public, for-profit and teaching hospitals (vis-à-vis all hospital beds), discharges, discharges covered under the case payment system, transferred inpatients, and the perceived degree of competition within each healthcare market. Results A total of 485 survey questionnaires were distributed, of which 251 were returned, giving a response rate of 51.75%. The responses from 29.9% of the sample group indicated that the perceived extent of patient dumping occurring in their service area was ‘serious’ or ‘very serious’. The regression analysis showed that after controlling for other factors, the superintendents’ perceived extent of the patient dumping occurring within their healthcare networks was positively related to the total number of patients covered under the case payment system, the total number of discharged patients, the extent of healthcare market competition and the number of respondent's hospital beds. Conclusions We conclude from our findings that, under the National Health Insurance system, patient dumping is a widespread problem within Taiwan's healthcare industry.

The establishment of a TQM system for the health care industry

In recent years, the health care industry in Taiwan has been facing various difficulties, which are primarily from the implementation of National Health Care Insurance policy. The more severe problems, like the increase in operating costs and income reduction, are included with the high cut rate examined by BNHI, and the shortage of physicians. The most critical current issue to hospitals is researching the remedies to resolve the problems. Some hospitals have employed ISO 9000 as the solution; some have chosen HQIC or MQIP. However, it is necessary to implement advanced TQM when the health care institutes want to resolve these problems more effectively. There are some conflicts between the health care professional and the TQM concepts and practices. In this paper, a practically applicable system of TQM is developed for the health care institutes. Several hospitals have utilized this TQM system and have obtained many substantial results, such as upgrading the service quality and customers’ satisfaction, and improving the administration performance, etc. Therefore, for a more efficient operation, the Bureau of National Health Care should eagerly promote the TQM system to hospitals.