Abstract
Purpose - Managing complexity within care ecosystems is an increasing universal challenge. In health this is emphasised by recent calls for greater care integration to
achieve service improvement as levels of comorbidity and frailty row within populations. This research takes a service dominant logic (SDL) stance in examining the sources, types and nature of complexity within a care ecosystem in the UK Design.
Methodology/approach - This illustrative case research focuses on a community care ecosystem. A multi-method approach is employed combining semi-structured interviews, descriptive statistics and secondary data. The results were independently assessed and validated by participants through a second interview phase.
Findings - The findings from this research provide empirical support for the six complexities discussed in the supply chain literature. Identifying these complexities proffers the opportunity of applying manufacturing derived complexity management strategies in care ecosystems. The conceptual model for institutional complexity, derived from the illustrative case study, showed that care professionals face additional complexity challenges in operating care ecosystems.
Practical Implications – The management of complexity in care ecosystems requires professionals to be considerate of institutional arrangements when addressing the consequences of increasing levels of complexity. This necessitates the development of a balanced approach between reducing complexity while absorbing institutional arrangements which minimise risk.
Originality/value – Drawing on the supply chain complexity literature, the paper has developed a framework which guides care professionals facing increasing levels of complexity within the context of their institutional arrangements. As such, this research furthers our understanding of supply chain complexity effects in care ecosystems and provides a platform for future research.