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Exploring the Role of Business Support Agencies in Value Chain Management of the Medical Device Industry

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Modelling Value

Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

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Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary analysis of the role of business support agencies in medical device value chain (MDVC) development. It takes the concept of local ‘business support mechanisms’ (BSM) beyond the boundaries of institutional theories and policy constructs to the operational level in the medical device value chain. Companies’ requirements are mapped against the business support provisions across the MDVC. This mapping highlights the mismatch of business support provision to industry requirements at different stages of the MDVC. The evidence shows that these misalignments stem from a complex BSM role configuration and an inability to address industry requirements, particularly in the medical device industry, which has unique needs. It is suggested that the concept of roles helps to find a better match between local BSM and the requirements of the MDVC. The value chain development roles played by Business Support Agencies (BSAs) are identified as follows: IP generators, Resource mobilisers, Policy formulators and implementers, Networking agents, and Information mediators. This paper explores the roles of the BSAs in addressing the MDVC requirements. Eight case studies are examined, offering new insights into the roles of BSAs, as well as their attributes and influential factors.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The definition of the industry and classification of products in the medical device sector may vary from country to country as it is influenced by the specific country’s healthcare medical device regulation acts (USITC 2007). According to the EC’s, Medical Device Guideline Document (1994), medical devices are defined as products that are used for the propose of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries, and the correction of physical deformities of the body.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Sally Church for her valuable comments and for proofreading this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Dakshata Rana & Mike Gregory

Authors
  1. Dakshata Rana
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  2. Mike Gregory
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Correspondence to Dakshata Rana .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. FH Oberösterreich, Wehrgrabengasse 1-3, Steyr, 4400, Austria

    Herbert Jodlbauer

  2. , Department of Management, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden

    Jan Olhager

  3. Schonberger & Associates, 107th Avenue N.E. #2101 177, Bellevue, 98004, Washington, USA

    Richard J. Schonberger

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Rana, D., Gregory, M. (2012). Exploring the Role of Business Support Agencies in Value Chain Management of the Medical Device Industry. In: Jodlbauer, H., Olhager, J., Schonberger, R. (eds) Modelling Value. Contributions to Management Science. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-2747-7_20

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