Diffusion of Technology in Small to Medium Medical Providers in Saudi Arabia

167 Pages·2015·0.76 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
2015
Diffusion of Technology in Small to Medium
Medical Providers in Saudi Arabia
Ziad Hisham Arnaout
Walden University
Follow this and additional works at:http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations
Part of theBusiness Commons,Databases and Information Systems Commons, and theHealth
and Medical Administration Commons
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral
Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please [email protected].
Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral study by

Ziad Arnaout

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Teresa Jepma, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Patricia Fusch, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Dr. Gayle Grant, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract

Diffusion of Technology in Small to Medium Medical Providers in Saudi Arabia
by
Ziad Hisham Arnaout

MPH, American University of Beirut, 1994
BS, American University of Beirut, 1992

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
November 2015
Abstract
The Saudi ministry of health reported that government health care spending doubled from
2008 to 2011. To address increased demand, the government encouraged small to
medium enterprise (SME) growth. However, SME leaders could not leverage technology
as a growth enabler because they lacked strategies to address operating inefficiencies
associated with technology. Only 50% of hospitals fully implemented information
technology. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore lived
experiences of SME leaders on strategies needed to accelerate technology
implementation. This exploration drew on a conceptual framework developed from
Wainwright and Waring’s framework addressing issues of technology adoption. Data
were collected from semistructured interviews of 20 SME leaders in Saudi Arabia. A
modified van Kaam method was used to analyze participants’ interview transcripts in
search of common themes. The main themes were strategies to address human resources,
clinical teams, funding, and organizational and leadership alignment to accelerate the
diffusion of technology. Findings indicated that insurance companies influence SME
operations, growth, and survival. Analysis of findings revealed the need for change in
management, training, implementation follow up, and staff retention to accelerate
technology implementation. Application of findings has the potential to promote positive
social change in guiding SME leaders to be change agents and enabling them to create a
reliable, sustainable health care delivery system.
Diffusion of Technology in Small to Medium Service Providers in Saudi Arabia
by
Ziad Hisham Arnaout

MPH, American University of Beirut, 1994
BS, American University of Beirut, 1992

Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Business Administration

Walden University
November 2015
Dedication
I dedicate this study to my father’s soul who inspired me and ignited in me the
flame to excel in my life, and to my family who has been there for me through it all. My
father taught the meaning of dedication, love, sacrifice, giving, as well as thinking big,
thinking long term, and being tenacious about my goals. Without my father’s dedication
and commitment, I would not be here today. He taught me how to remain solid during
the hardest times. One day, I hope my children look at me as I look at my father.
I would like to thank my wife Hasna’a for being the solid rock in my life and for
being my friend and biggest supporter throughout this journey. I love you and I could not
have done it without you. I also dedicate this work to my four sons, Omar, Bilal,
Hisham, and Fareed; you are my breath and soul. I hope that I have been a role model for
you. Be inspired to excel in your lives, always aim high, and above all remain humble. I
promise to pay you back the time I missed spending with you because of the days,
weekends, and nights I spent on my study.
Acknowledgments
A well-deserved round of thanks goes to my entire dissertation committee for
guiding me through the process and helping me to improve my doctoral study. To my
exceptional mentor and dissertation chair, Dr. Teresa Jepma, who provided her sincere
assistance where others failed and guided me through the somewhat vicious doctoral
journey; thank you for everything you have done. You are a true chairperson. To my
committee members, Dr. Pat Fusch and Dr. Gayle Grant, and methodologist, I am very
grateful for your guidance throughout the process. Dr. Fusch, your feedback taught me a
lot. I would also like to thank the participants who contributed their time and provided
me with the insight to complete this research. Special thanks go to Dr. Alice Denomme
Gobeille who provided unprecedented guidance during my second residency. Finally, I
thank my old colleague and friend, Mr. Abdullah Al Arfaj, for extending his help with
Mr. Mohammad Al Aghbash in identifying the participants.
Table of Contents
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... iv
Section 1: Foundation of the Study ..................................................................................... 1
Background of the Problem .......................................................................................... 1
Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 2
Purpose Statement ......................................................................................................... 2
Nature of the Study ....................................................................................................... 3
Research Question ........................................................................................................ 5
Interview Questions ................................................................................................ 5
Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................. 6
Definition of Terms ....................................................................................................... 7
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ............................................................... 8
Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 8
Limitations .............................................................................................................. 9
Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 10
Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 11
Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 11
Implications for Social Change ............................................................................. 12
A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ............................................. 14
Health Care and Health Information Technology in Saudi Arabia ....................... 15
Small to Medium Enterprises ................................................................................ 24
Diffusion of Innovation and Technology .............................................................. 31
i
Elements Affecting Diffusion of HIT ................................................................... 38
Transition and Summary ............................................................................................. 59
Section 2: The Project ....................................................................................................... 61
Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................... 61
Role of the Researcher ................................................................................................ 62
Participants .................................................................................................................. 64
Research Method and Design ..................................................................................... 66
Method .................................................................................................................. 66
Research Design .................................................................................................... 69
Population and Sampling ............................................................................................ 71
Ethical Research .......................................................................................................... 73
Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 75
Instruments ............................................................................................................ 75
Data Collection Technique ................................................................................... 77
Data Organization Techniques .............................................................................. 80
Data Analysis Technique ............................................................................................ 80
Reliability and Validity ............................................................................................... 82
Reliability .............................................................................................................. 83
Validity ................................................................................................................. 84
Transition and Summary ............................................................................................. 85
Section 3: Application to Professional Practice and Implications for Change ................. 87
Overview of Study ...................................................................................................... 87
ii
Presentation of the Findings ........................................................................................ 88
Emergent Theme: Strategies to Address Human Resources Element as It
Pertains to Accelerating the Diffusion of Technology ............................. 92
Emergent Theme: Strategies to Address Technology Funding Element as
It Pertains to Accelerating the Diffusion of Technology ........................ 105
Emergent Theme: Strategies to Address Organizational and Leadership
Alignment Element as It Pertains to Accelerating the Diffusion of
Technology ............................................................................................. 111
Applications to Professional Practice ....................................................................... 116
Implications for Social Change ................................................................................. 119
Recommendations for Action ................................................................................... 121
Recommendations for Further Research ................................................................... 124
Reflections ................................................................................................................ 125
Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 127
References ....................................................................................................................... 131
Appendix A: Arnaout Inquiry of Elements Contributing to Technology Diffusion ....... 152
Appendix B: Participant Consent Form Arnaout Doctoral Study .................................. 153
Appendix C: Interview Protocol ..................................................................................... 156

iii