Doctoral Degrees (Institute For Biomedical Engineering (IBE))

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    Healthcare ecosystem development: exploring SME participation and innovative engagement in digital platform-based ecosystems.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-11) Mbanefo, CC; Grobbelaar, SS; Botha, Alfred ; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Institute of Biomedical Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The concept of the ecosystem has gained significant traction within the business realm, primarily as a metaphorical structure. It describes an economic community that thrives on interdependent relationships among various organisations, businesses, firms and individuals. These entities interact and integrate their resources to co-create value. In light of this, digital platform ecosystems have found widespread application across diverse sectors, including marketplaces, automobiles, information and communication technology, education, and housing. This, in turn, has facilitated increased involvement of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and consumers in the sharing economy. However, existing research has primarily focused on the role of platform orchestrators and the dynamics between firms and customers, mainly neglecting the comprehensive examination of engagement practices among diverse actors driving the ecosystem. Consequently, gaining a holistic understanding of the interplay between subsystems and engagement practices of ecosystem actors becomes challenging. This knowledge gap impedes platform ecosystems' development, support, and sustainability in healthcare delivery. The study adopted Design Science Research as an essential approach for addressing human problems and contributing new knowledge. Within this structure, the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was utilised to facilitate the development of a management tool and guide the overall research process. The DSRM encompasses six distinct activities, each serving a specific purpose in achieving the study’s objectives: problem identification and motivation, definition of solution objectives, design and development, demonstration, evaluation, and communication. From a theoretical standpoint, this study sought to conceptualise a framework that supports the participation and innovation of SMEs within digital platform-based ecosystems. This research enriches the existing literature on healthcare ecosystems by identifying the foundational elements that platform orchestrators and SMEs consider. It sheds light on the intricacies of value co-creation within multisided platforms. The study conducted a comprehensive review of relevant literature to identify and categorise the core elements for platform development and SME participation, encompassing conceptual, systematised, and scoping reviews. Accordingly, the study delved into eight aspects of platform ecosystem development, including dynamic capabilities, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, resource integration, value co-creation, social innovation, community management, and standards, elucidating their contextual applications. The study's response to the research question materialised in a framework and management tool tailored for SMEs engaged in platform ecosystems, known as the SME Participation and Innovation in Platform Ecosystems (SPIPE) framework. The SPIPE framework and management tool were designed to enable platform orchestrators and SMEs to participate and engage in platforms through innovative means actively. Through subject-matter expert reviews, ranking exercises, and a case study of a South African healthcare platform ecosystem, the framework was contextualised within internal and external environmental opportunities, ensuring the adaptability and efficacy of the SPIPE tool in diverse settings, ultimately enabling the attainment of desired outcomes. The study demonstrates that the utilisation of the SPIPE framework offers a systematic and structured approach for effectively integrating multiple actors in developing, implementing, and managing platform ecosystems. By employing the framework and management tool, healthcare delivery and service providers can navigate the intricacies of these ecosystems more efficiently, thereby optimising their operations and enhancing overall healthcare service quality.