Responsible impact and the reinforcement of responsible innovation in the public sector ecosystem: cases of digital health innovation

ABSTRACT

Responsible innovation is an important consideration for digital health innovation. This study explores the responsible innovation processes of digital health innovators, and the reinforcement of responsible innovation practices. Using semi-structured qualitative interviews followed by a thematic analysis and narrative enquiry, we understand the lived experiences of innovators in the UK and Norway. We suggest three contributions. (1) That Responsible Innovation occurs as a process in practice, and we suggest a framework to outline that process. (2) We suggest that ‘responsible impact’ is the fifth domain and the output of RI. (3) We suggest that responsible impact may be a natural reinforcer of the RI process. We suggest that innovators who recognise the impact of their RI practice are more likely to continue those responsible processes. Finally, based on our study we provide an RI action plan framework to encourage the funding of responsible innovators.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital health
• responsible innovation
• responsible impact
• public sector

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of the project titled ‘Digitalize or Die: Dynamic Drivers of Responsible Research and Innovation in Health and Welfare services’. Funded by the Norwegian Research Council. Project No.: 247716/O80.

Notes on contributors

Bernard Naughton

Bernard Naughton is an Assistant Professor and interdisciplinary researcher at Trinity College Dublin, and a visiting Senior Lecturer at Kings College London. Bernard's research and teaching traverses the disciplines of medical/pharmaceutical sciences and management. His research concerns the social processes of innovation and quality. More specifically he is interested in the areas of regulatory and technology implementation, responsible innovation, and impact. His research has implications for healthcare, government, the pharmaceutical industry, major projects, and entrepreneurship. Bernard is especially passionate about technological innovations to improve digital health and the global health issues of medicine quality and access. He uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods to gain a better understanding of individual and organisational level innovation, and impact. His research has been funded by Oxford University, the Norwegian Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, and private technology companies.

Sue Dopson

Sue Dopson is the Professor of Organisational Behaviour and a Fellow of Green Templeton College. She has a BSc in sociology, MSc in sociology with special reference to medicine, MA (Oxon) and a PhD studying the introduction of general management into the NHS. She is a fellow of the academy of Social Sciences. Sue conducts research in a range of public and private sector organisations. Sue's research lies in the area of innovation, change and healthcare studies. She has led several research projects in public and private sector organisations. These include the evaluation of work aimed at improving clinical effectiveness, exploring evidence-based medicine, developing the skills of healthcare managers, and investigating the changing role of healthcare assistants within the NHS workforce. Sues research interests include, Personal and organisational dimensions of leadership, Transformational change, Networks, Healthcare studies and clinical leadership, Implementation of innovation, Evidence-based management, Leadership coaching practice and Women in leadership

Tatiana Iakovleva

Tatiana Iakovleva research interests include personal and organisational antecedents leading to innovation and superior entrepreneurial performance on enterprise and regional level, female entrepreneurship, responsible innovation and innovation management of firm level, as well as factors affecting entrepreneurial intentions. She has over 50 publications in International Journals like Education and Training, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development and other, is an editor of the book ‘Responsible innovation in digital health: Empowering the Patient’ (Edward Elgar Publisher, 2019), author of numerous book chapters on the topic related to entrepreneurship, innovation and transitional economies.