Path dependence, modularity and the offshoring of (some) physician services

Martin Stack; Myles Gartland

doi:10.1057/9780230274075_7

Path dependence, modularity and the offshoring of (some) physician services

Abstract

This paper integrates ideas from modularity and path dependency to explain the potential for and limitations of the offshoring of high value added physician services. While not all medical services are amenable to offshoring, a growing number of physician activities can be viewed as modular components which, at least technically, could be performed remotely. As a result, the presumption that concerns for efficiency dictate how firms decide which activities to locate in other countries must be reconciled with complex path-dependent domestic healthcare regulatory frameworks. The paper begins with an overview of offshoring and outsourcing. Parts two and three examine how the ideas of path dependence and modularity can be used to explore both the opportunities in and the limitations of the offshoring of high value added physician services. Part four develops a framework that combines modularity and path dependency in assessing the firm ability to offshore medical services. The conclusion examines how these ideas can be extended to other markets.

Citations

1

CrossRef
0

Web of Science
0

Scopus

Authors (2)

Cite as

Full text

full text is not available in portal

full content of the article see on external site open in new tab

Keywords

PATH DEPENDENCY

Details

Category:: Monographic publication
Type:: rozdział, artykuł w książce - dziele zbiorowym /podręczniku w języku o zasięgu międzynarodowym
Title of issue:: The Hidden Dynamics of Path Dependence. Institutions and Organizations strony 113 - 128
Language:: English
Publication year:: 2010
Bibliographic description:: Stack M., Gartland M.: Path dependence, modularity and the offshoring of (some) physician services// The Hidden Dynamics of Path Dependence. Institutions and Organizations/ ed. eds. G. Schreyögg, J. Sydow. Hampshire: Wielka Brytania, 2010, s.113-128
DOI:: Digital Object Identifier (open in new tab) 10.1057/9780230274075_7
Verified by:: Gdańsk University of Technology