Interorganizational Innovation in Systemic Networks: TELEKAT Findings

This paper presents partial results from a Danish longitudinal case study of 'Telehomecare, chronic patients and the integrated health care system' (the TELEKAT project). The purpose of the project as a whole is to develop and test a preventive home monitoring concept across sectors, enabling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to avoid readmission, perform self monitoring and maintain rehabilitation in their homes. The aim of the paper is to identify, analyze and discuss innovation dynamics in the COPD network and, on a preliminary basis, to identify implications for managing innovations in systemic networks. The main argument of this paper is that innovation dynamics in systemic networks should be understood as a complex interplay of four elements or "logics": (1) Fragmented innovation; (2) Interface innovation; (3) Competing innovation; (4) Systemic innovation. The findings indicate that linear n-stage models, by reducing complexity and flux, end up focusing only on the surface of the network, and are thus unable to grasp important aspects of network dynamics. The paper suggests that there is a need for a more comprehensive innovation model able to grasp the whole picture of dynamics in systemic networks. Such a model must be able to frame a set of processes which continuously monitor, negotiate, combine and balance the four innovation logics. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]