Organizational hindrances to Healthcare 4.0 adoption: An multi-criteria decision analysis framework

Abstract

Due to the latest developments in the healthcare sector, the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services are being improved. This investigation aims to shortlist the organizational hindrances that influence the adoption of Healthcare 4.0 technologies and model the mutual relationship between them using the DEMATEL methodology. In addition, this study offers a cause-effect relationship between the barriers and helps to identify the most important challenges to the adoption of Healthcare 4.0 technologies. By reviewing the literature and consulting experts in the case domain, 10 hindrances were identified. The findings of the study highlighted three causal factors namely ‘Lack of vision and commitment from the top management’, ‘Hierarchical structure’, and ‘Lack of skilled workforce’ as critical ones that have the significant causality intensity; whereas, ‘Lack of R&D facilities’ was found be the least significant barrier which belongs to the effect category. It may be noted that the causal factors need to be addressed by the top management of the healthcare organizations for the successful adoption of Health 4.0. Further, the elimination of the causal factors identified by this study would help in reducing the cost of the treatment and enhance the patients' experience. In addition, this research aims to guide managers/decision-makers of healthcare organizations to deduce policies for the adoption of the latest technologies in the case sector.