Title: Future medical supply: challenges for business concept formation

Authors: Olli Kytola, Mikko Pynnonen, Mika Immonen

Addresses: Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta FIN-53851, Finland. ' Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta FIN-53851, Finland. ' Technology Business Research Center, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, Lappeenranta FIN-53851, Finland

Abstract: Using a pharmaceutical supply network as a case example, this paper describes the challenges for business concept formation. The motivation for the study comes from our earlier studies, which have pointed out the need for change in the pharmaceutical value network. The current structure of the value network is too rigid by legislation and too costly if the share of elder citizens and their needs for medical assistance turn out as projected in the industrialised western countries. Even current resources, the workforce in particular, cannot fulfil the growing needs for elderly care in the future if the system is kept as it is, when it does not even respond well to today|s individual customer needs. The business concept formation into individual business models needs more thorough research as also the currently available frameworks lack the dynamism for further planning.

Keywords: business models; business concepts; business systems; value networks; innovation; customer value; medical supplies; pharmaceutical supply networks; elderly care; supply planning; medical assistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2011.042446

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2011 Vol.5 No.5, pp.493 - 509

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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