Framing Sustainable Healthcare Services

Per Engelseth, Remiguisz Kozlowski, Karolina Kamecka, Lukasz Gawinski and Richard Glavee-Geo
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Per Engelseth: Tromsø School of Business and Economics, University of Tromsø, Narvik Campus, 8505 Narvik, Norway
Remiguisz Kozlowski: Center of Security Technologies in Logistics, Faculty of Management, University of Lodz, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Karolina Kamecka: Department of Management and Logistics in Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 90-131 Lodz, Poland
Lukasz Gawinski: Department of Management and Logistics in Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, 90-131 Lodz, Poland
Richard Glavee-Geo: Department of International Business, Norwegian University of Technology and Science, 6009 Ålesund, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: This paper develops an analytical framework using process thinking to achieve sustainable healthcare services. Healthcare is characterised by low economic efficiency. At the same time, it is embedded in ethical concerns related to society and nature. Healthcare is thus conceptualised as functionality in an ecosystem. The patient is woven into both nature and society. Given the complex nature of healthcare services, we seek an alternative way to understand healthcare services, focusing on the exchange aspect of the economy. We offer a conceptual model that helps build an analytical framework focusing on how practitioners and leaders in healthcare frame their activities. This framing provides guidance in healthcare practice. Furthermore, framing is associated with both healthcare service providers as well as patients and next of kin—the recipients. This framework aims to guide practical research and development activities in healthcare.

Keywords: healthcare; sustainability; logistical operations; ecosystems; framing; overflowing; exchange economy; integration; interdependency; process thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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