Process automation in a clinical laboratory of a Brazilian general hospital: co-creating value within the supply chain

The objective of this work is to advance a model that explains the process of automation in the search for co-creating value within a healthcare supply chain. Automation is a collaborative effort where client organisations are key actors for the improvement of their processes. On the other hand, to integrate technology into these processes, suppliers need to access and develop the knowledge base and capabilities of organisational customers. According to these understandings, suppliers and client organisations assume value co-creating relationships. The present research applies the case study approach in a clinical laboratory of a general hospital. The research presents as a result that difficulties in process automation reflect divergent perspectives of value. These complications permeate networked interactions. The developed model proposes that value co-creation in process automation can be achieved when players explore and perform activities of a) reviewing daily practices; b) developing network value; and c) manage change.