Innovative capability development process: a Singapore IT healthcare case study

With the global spending of more than US$4.1 trillion in 2007, healthcare has been one of the largest industries worldwide. To better plan and develop the healthcare system, an effective way is to leverage on the advancement of information technology (IT). However, despite of many attempts in the computerization and automation of healthcare services, most of the healthcare information systems failed to deliver in the era of rising expectations. With respect to this aspect, this study focuses on the success stories of a private-owned hospital in Singapore. We illustrate our lessons learned from this hospital, the Alexandra Hospital, which has successfully innovated a healthcare system setting and making a benchmark standard for the Singapore healthcare industry. By conceptualizing on the generation of innovative capability process, this study complements the scarce innovation literature in the service industry. Theoretical and practical contributions were shared and documented in this paper.