Doctoral theses

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Browsing Doctoral theses by Author "Eguiguren Medinabeitia, Eva"

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    The role of social networks in the diffusion of innovations: the case of the Basque Country health reform
    (IE University, 2022-01-01) Eguiguren Medinabeitia, Eva; Pastor Gilarranz, Juan Carlos; https://ror.org/02jjdwm75
    This dissertation examines the role played by social networks in the diffusion of innovation in the healthcare environment, particularly the impact of social networks in the implementation of a challenging health reform, the Strategy to Tackle Chronic Diseases (STTC), that was conducted in the Basque Country during the IX Legislature (2009-2012). It also analyzes the mediating effect of commitment between social networks and the implementation of the STTC healthcare reform. Using network theory and institutional logic, this dissertation presents a mixed method case study based on the top management level population (231 managers) of the Basque Country Health Service. Results reflect the equidistant balance between the benefits and detriments of network centrality on the STTC implementation. On the contrary, proximity has an effect, based on access to the main champion of the change process versus a member of the top management team. The qualitative section below provides a detailed explanation for understanding these effects. Previous research has analyzed the role of middle management on healthcare implementations and the impact of selected champions on an innovative implementation process. This investigation explores the influence of top management´s social networks at the initial stage of a change reform and reveals the strategic importance of a unique champion of innovation as the main trigger for change. This dissertation has implications for healthcare innovations in other countries with similar socioeconomic conditions.