Abstract of the paper
This study highlights how the introduction of Industry 4.0 in healthcare creates a series of contradictory tensions that affect both technology strategy and quality development. Based on 32 in-depth interviews from two Swedish healthcare organizations, six recurring technological tensions are identified that require conscious management. For example, challenges arise between automation and continued staff involvement, between short-term experimentation and long-term planning, and between preserving existing systems and driving disruptive innovation.
The study proposes a conceptual framework based on paradox theory to strategically navigate these tensions while promoting sustainable quality improvement. It is the first known study to link paradox theory to quality management in the healthcare sector, including Lean and Six Sigma.
Three key insights for business developers and policy makers:
- Six key areas of tension are identified that need to be strategically addressed - for example, the balance between technology integration and maintaining personal presence in care processes.
- Paradox theory serves as a tool to understand and manage conflicting demands in digital transformation in healthcare.
- A new conceptual framework is offered to support structuring the implementation of Industry 4.0 with a focus on quality, innovation and collaboration with different stakeholders.
Daan Kabel, Jason Martin and Mattias Elg - Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Sweden
The article is published within the Special Issue: Operational excellence and quality improvement in Sweden, with guest editors Peter Cronemyr and Anders Fundin.