Innovation Implementation in the Context of Palestine: Exploring the Challenges of Achieving Implementation of a Health Service Innovation in Ramallah Public Hospital

Abstract

This thesis follows a project initiated by a group of Norwegian medical researchers and entrepreneurs with an aim of providing birth attendants worldwide with accessible training in simple medical techniques through the use of animated instructions on tablet computers. The innovation, i.e. the custom made animation tablet, is believed to have a special purpose and effect in hospitals operating in resource constrained settings; hospitals otherwise difficult to reach with conventional methods of training and education. In March 2016, the innovation was successfully installed in several Palestinian hospitals. Yet, there were quickly doubts about whether the birth attendants would actively make use of the new solution. Consequently, this case study aims to help explore and uncover some of the main challenges associated with achieving implementation of this type of innovation in such a contextual setting; a setting previously seldom explored in the innovation literature. This case study applies concepts and perspectives from the innovation process tradition, and follows the innovation process from the side of the developers as well as from the perception of the end-users in hopes of finding out more about their reasons for resisting the innovation. Qualitative data was collected from interviews as well as from observations made during my period of field research in the West Bank. The importance of motivation, contextual knowledge and legitimacy are highlighted as central components of this innovation process, while, from the perspective of the end-users, a lack of time, a lack of interest and a lack of organisational support seem to be important factors for understanding why the innovation have not (yet) been implemented. Considering how technology and innovation are increasingly being recognised as vital tools for meeting international aspirations in global healthcare, the results from this thesis will hopefully contribute to create a better understanding of what works and why it works when it comes to innovation implementation in similar contexts.