Transforming healthcare ecosystems through blockchain: Opportunities and capabilities for business process innovation

Blockchain is an unprecedented enabler and booster of business process innovation, especially in the healthcare sector. Nonetheless, its transformational potential has yet to be fully harnessed because of the challenges that digitalization has posed to Business Process Management (BPM) and the inherent complexity of the healthcare processes. Accordingly, through the ambidextrous BPM theoretical lenses, this paper investigates what are the main opportunities for Blockchain-driven healthcare process innovation and which BPM capabilities may un-leash them. Two exploratory case studies were conducted to probe the Blockchain-driven process redesign: a case of exploitative BPM, focusing on drug logistics, and a case of explorative BPM, focusing on integrated home care. Our findings suggest that Blockchain may enable Healthcare innovation opportunities, such as the redesign of the information flow and the development of new forms of collaboration in the health ecosystem. In addition, the most relevant BPM capabilities to pursue such innovations were identified. These results integrate the BPM research stream and enhance the understanding of Blockchain-driven healthcare process innovation.

Automated summary

Blockchain is a groundbreaking technology that has the potential to revolutionize business process innovation, especially in the healthcare sector. However, realizing its full potential is challenging due to the complexities of healthcare processes and the digitalization challenges faced by Business Process Management (BPM). This paper explores the opportunities for Blockchain-driven healthcare process innovation through two case studies and identifies the relevant BPM capabilities needed for such innovation. The findings highlight the potential of Blockchain in healthcare, including information flow redesign and collaboration development in the health ecosystem, and contribute to the understanding of Blockchain-driven healthcare process innovation.