Title: Hospital electronic commerce applications in Taiwan: a value chain analysis

Authors: Chinho Lin, Tzer-Chyun Yang, Bertram Tan, In Chang

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management Science and Institute of Information Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Department of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Department of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. Department of Business Administration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

Abstract: The emergence of EC (Electronic Commerce) has brought the world a new economic paradigm. The application of EC in Taiwan has grown rapidly in recent years, while the formation of the electronic commerce environment is still in an embryonic stage. The purpose of this study is to introduce the current development of hospital electronic commerce as well as analyse its impact on hospitals in Taiwan. Based on the structure of value chain analysis, a framework of EC applications in hospitals is developed which may provide an analytic basis for hospitals to find the significant role of EC in determining relative cost position or differentiation and seek their sources of competitive advantages. The research results may provide some guidance for hospitals to develop their EC strategy in order to seize new opportunities or react to the changes in the healthcare environment.

Keywords: electronic commerce; value chain; hospital; Taiwan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2002.001133

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2002 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.106-117

Published online: 30 Jun 2003 *

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