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Becoming a public sector insider - A case study of Swedish digital healthcare start-ups´entrepreneurial business formation processes

14 Feb 2024

The study “Becoming a public sector insider - A case study of Swedish digital healthcare start-ups´ entrepreneurial business formation processes” published in 2022 (Bengtson, Morici & Lindholm) aimed to analyse start-ups’ entrepreneurial business formation processes.

It evidences that private start-ups with access to digital technology are able to better launch digital primary care by forming strong relationships with the agents already established within the healthcare field. Hence, the interchange of resources between emerging enterprises and established entities within the healthcare domain holds paramount importance for the initiation of new digital ventures. Furthermore, alliances initially advantageous to both parties during the inception of a new business endeavour may eventually pose challenges for the startup in later phases. The significance of legal acumen on the part of startups becomes apparent as they successfully navigate entry into publicly funded healthcare systems, leveraging their understanding of non-discrimination regulations.


The issue of legitimacy emerges as a pivotal concern for startups and their journey of business formation. Research indicates that despite the rapid expansion or possibly because of it, digital healthcare providers grapple with various legitimacy-related challenges. However, the startups' comprehension of healthcare regulatory frameworks not only fosters legitimacy but also serves as a vital asset when integrating into publicly funded healthcare networks. The regulations leveraged by startups were crafted prior to the digital era to address politically sensitive issues such as patient empowerment, accessibility, cost efficiency, and heightened competition in the primary care sector.


You can read the full study, here.

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