Challenges faced by inter-organizational healthcare networks: a socio-technical systems design perspective

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2024-07-12

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en

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Although inter-organizational healthcare networks have emerged as a solution for addressing so-called ‘wicked problems’ in healthcare, these networks face certain challenges. Literature on inter-organizational networks identifies causes and solutions for these challenges; however, little is known about to what extent organizational structures of participating organizations in networks cause these challenges. This study investigates the insights that socio-technical systems design, an organizational structure theory, can provide to better understand the challenges faced by inter-organizational healthcare networks. To investigate this, a qualitative single-case study was conducted in a Dutch inter-organizational healthcare network. The findings are based on interviews with medical specialists and managers involved in the network collaboration. The findings illustrate that the perspective of socio-technical systems design offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by inter-organizational healthcare networks. Firstly, this perspective highlights the link between problematic organizational structures and the presence of challenges, and secondly, it can aid in transforming these problematic organizational structures into adequate ones.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen