Mohammad Salmani
1 
, Nasser Feghhi Farahmand
1* , Yaghoob Alavi Matin
1 , Reza Khodaie Mahmoudi
2 1 Department of Management, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Management, Islamic Azad University, Marand Branch, Marand, Iran
Abstract
Background. The health system generally comprises a variety of players. In the health system, there are intermediary institutions of innovation, playing a key role in reducing the distance between the members of the network and building trust among them. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a pattern of relationship between the function of the intermediary institutions of open innovation in the health system.
Methods. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in two main phases. The first phase was carried out to identify and approve the principal components of the function of the intermediary institutions in the health. The data were collected based on a researcher-made questionnaire in accordance with the existing research literature. The questionnaire was distributed among 140 managers and experts of the research and quality improvement divisions of the clinical centers, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. The data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). In the second phase, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was employed to design the pattern of relationship. The views of 12 experts were used for designing the pattern. ISM was used for developing various parts of the questionnaire.
Results. The CFA findings indicated the proper relationship between the principal components and the respective indicators. Accordingly, all principal components of the pattern of the functions of the intermediary institutions were confirmed in the statistical population. Based on the ISM, the findings revealed that components of “organizing and supplying resources” and “strengthening the network and participation” were the most effective functions of the intermediary institutions. Moreover, the component of commercialization was the most susceptible function of the intermediary institutions.
Conclusion. The intermediary institutions can reduce the deficits in each stage of the process of innovation in the field of health according to their various functions, serving as an accelerator increasing the knowledge and innovation in the field of health.
Extended Abstract
Background
Health system generally includes numerous actors. In this system, mediators or innovation intermediary institutions are considered as the key elements, decreasing the distance between the members of network and creating trust among them. In fact, they are the main actors that make up the economic sectors, developing new activities. Many researchers believe that the functions of innovation intermediary institutions may not be understood easily because of their unknown nature; therefore, implementing them must be difficult. Despite their significance, there are not enough studies focusing on their functions. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a model of relationship among the functions of open innovation intermediary institutions in the field of health.
Methods
This descriptive-analytical research was performed in two stages. The first stage included the identification and improvement of the main components of the functions of intermediary institutions in the field of health. Researcher-made questionnaires were used to gather the required data according to the literature. This questionnaire included eight main components based on the functions of intermediary institutions and was distributed among 140 people, including directors and experts working in the research and development department of medical centers, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to analyze the acquired data. Meanwhile, the following indices were used to assess the appropriateness of each confirmed model: relative chi square, goodness of fit index, adjusted goodness of fit index, comparative fit index, root mean square error of approximation, and root mean square residual. In the second stage, we developed the model of relationship between the functions of open innovation intermediary institutions using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). We used a specific questionnaire for ISM, which considered the relations between two elements of a problem or system as a pair. A group of experts participated in the process of developing the model of relationship between the functions of open innovation intermediary institutions. The mentioned group included nine directors of medical centers and pharmaceutical companies with more than 20 years of work experience in the field of health; they were also familiar with the subjects of open innovation and intermediary institutions. In addition, three professors who had taught the subjects related to innovation supervised the project. Thus, the expert group consisted of 12 experts for developing the model of relationship between the functions of open innovation intermediary institutions.
Results
According to the results of CFA, there was a proper relationship between the main components and the related references according to different measures. Subsequently, it was claimed that the quality of the entire confirmed models was approved and all the main components could be used to develop the model in the statistical population. According to the results of ISM stage, the components of “organization and resource provision” and “network reinforcement and cooperation” were the most effective functions of intermediary institutions. The fifth level included the component of data gathering; i.e., this component was superior to two components of the sixth level. The mentioned component was affected by two components of the sixth level, and at the same time directly affecting the other two components (i.e., “technical consultation” and “innovation map representor and predictor”). The latter components were placed at the fourth level directly affecting two components of sampling and guidance. The third level included sampling and guidance, directly affecting branding and guidance. The second level included branding and guidance, which was prior to commercialization and introduced it. Finally, the first level included commercialization, which was the most impressive component of the system or the conclusion. Actually, in the field of health, this function of intermediary institutions accomplishes the conclusion of innovation.
Conclusion
Intermediary institutions are able to cover the defects of each level of innovation process in the field of health according to their different functions and act as the accelerator of the main role, i.e., increasing the knowledge and innovation in the field of health. Intermediary institutions transfer knowledge and gather data regarding technologies, markets, competitors, and potential partners. In this way, they may support the flow of knowledge and technology among the actors of innovation in the ecosystem of the field of health according to each one’s motivation. Accordingly, the politicians of the ecosystem in the field of health should develop proper programs to attract the attention of intermediary institutions, or at least facilitate the relations of different actors with them.