This study examines the key factors driving the adoption of immersive technologies (like VR/AR) in the Indian healthcare sector. Using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theoretical frameworks, the research employs the grey-DEMATEL method to analyze input from healthcare experts and rank the facilitators of adoption.
Problem
Healthcare systems in emerging economies like India face significant challenges, including resource constraints and infrastructure limitations, when trying to adopt advanced immersive technologies. This study addresses the research gap by moving beyond purely technological aspects to understand the complex interplay of organizational and environmental factors that influence the successful implementation of these transformative tools in a real-world healthcare context.
Outcome
- Organizational and environmental factors are significantly more influential than technological factors in driving the adoption of immersive healthcare technologies. - The most critical facilitator for adoption is 'Adaptability to change' within the healthcare organization, followed by 'Regulatory support' and 'Leadership support'. - External factors, such as government support and partnerships, play a crucial role in shaping an organization's internal readiness for new technology. - Technological aspects like user-friendliness and data security, while important, ranked lower in prominence, suggesting they are insufficient drivers of adoption without strong organizational and environmental backing.
Host: Welcome to A.I.S. Insights, the podcast where we connect Living Knowledge to your business. I'm your host, Anna Ivy Summers. Host: Today, we're diving into a fascinating study titled "Beyond Technology: A Multi-Theoretical Examination of Immersive Technology Adoption in Indian Healthcare." Host: In simple terms, it explores what really drives the adoption of advanced technologies like virtual and augmented reality in the complex world of healthcare, specifically within an emerging economy. With me to break it all down is our analyst, Alex Ian Sutherland. Welcome, Alex. Expert: Great to be here, Anna. Host: Alex, let's start with the big picture. We hear about VR and AR in gaming and retail, but why is it so important to study its adoption in a context like Indian healthcare? What's the problem being solved? Expert: It's a critical issue. Healthcare systems in emerging economies face huge challenges. Think about resource constraints, infrastructure gaps, and the difficulty of getting specialized medical care to a massive rural population. In India, for example, about 65% of its 1.4 billion people live in rural areas. Expert: Immersive tech offers incredible solutions—like virtual surgical training for doctors in remote locations or advanced remote consultations. But adopting this tech isn't as simple as just buying the hardware. The study wanted to understand the real barriers and, more importantly, the real drivers for making it work. Host: So it's not just about the technology itself. How did the researchers figure out what those real drivers were? Expert: They took a really interesting approach. They identified 14 potential factors for adoption, spanning technology, organizational readiness, and the external environment. Then, they brought in a diverse panel of healthcare experts from India. Expert: Using a sophisticated analytical method, they had these experts rank the factors and map out the cause-and-effect relationships between them. It’s a way of creating a blueprint of what truly influences the decision to adopt, moving beyond just assumptions. Host: A blueprint of what really matters. I like that. So, what were the key findings? Were there any surprises? Expert: The biggest finding, and it’s right there in the title, is that successful adoption goes far 'beyond technology'. The study found that organizational and environmental factors are significantly more influential than the technological aspects. Host: That is surprising. We're so often focused on features and specs. What specific factors came out on top? Expert: The single most critical factor was 'Adaptability to change' within the healthcare organization itself. This is about the culture—the willingness and flexibility to embrace new workflows. Following that were 'Regulatory support' from government bodies and strong 'Leadership support' from within the organization. Host: So, a flexible culture, supportive government, and engaged leaders are the top three. What about things like user-friendliness or data security? Expert: That's the other surprising part. While important, factors like user-friendliness and data security ranked much lower in prominence. The study suggests that these are necessary, but they are not sufficient. You can have the most secure, easy-to-use headset in the world, but if the organization isn't ready for change and the regulatory environment isn't supportive, adoption will fail. Host: This is a powerful insight. Let's get to the bottom line, Alex. What does this mean for business leaders listening right now, whether they're in healthcare or another industry entirely? Expert: It’s a universal lesson for any major technology implementation. The first key takeaway is to prioritize culture over code. Before you invest millions in new tech, invest in building an agile and adaptable organizational culture. Expert: Second, look outside your own walls. You can't innovate in a vacuum. Proactively engage with regulators and seek out strategic collaborations and partnerships. The study showed that these external forces are incredibly powerful in shaping an organization’s internal readiness. Host: So it’s about managing the internal culture and the external ecosystem. Expert: Exactly. And the third takeaway ties it all together: leadership and training are non-negotiable. Leaders must visibly champion the change, and teams must be given thorough training that goes beyond technical skills to foster a mindset of innovation and flexibility. The tech is just the tool; the people make it work. Host: This has been incredibly insightful, Alex. To sum it up for our listeners: when adopting transformative technology, the secret to success isn't just in the tech itself. Host: The real drivers are an adaptable organizational culture, a supportive external environment shaped by regulation and partnerships, and the unwavering commitment of leadership to guide their people through the change. Host: Alex Ian Sutherland, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us. Expert: My pleasure, Anna. Host: And thank you for tuning in to A.I.S. Insights — powered by Living Knowledge. Join us next time as we uncover more actionable intelligence to drive your business forward.
