Purpose

Along with technology-based ecosystems, healthcare start-ups are expanding multi-fold. On the other hand, underlying uncertainties pose several challenges for these health-tech enterprises at macro-meso-micro level, influencing their business circumstances and profitability. The current study aims to comprehend the macro-, meso- and micro-level barriers that make it difficult for enterprises to set up healthcare technology start-ups. The study also observed the perceived effect of these challenges on firms' performance and cost structure over time. Using the theory of behaviour under uncertainty, the study revealed multiple systemic, sector-related, human and implementation barriers that hinder business growth and lead to uncertainties for health-tech start-ups.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a grounded theory approach, the study collected the views of 51 health tech start-ups in the UK using an online participants pool. The data was collected using qualitative data techniques in the form of open-ended essays, and a content analysis using thematic coding process was conducted. The questions centered around the different institutional uncertainties or barriers while setting up or running a healthcare start-up.

Findings

The study revealed several macro-, meso- and micro-level barriers these technology-based enterprises perceive in the healthcare industry. These are recognised as systemic barriers, such as lack of funding and procedural issues; sector-related barriers, such as market-related impediments; human barriers, including psychological barriers and resistance to new technology; and implementation barriers, such as operational and personnel issues.

Research limitations/implications

The study used qualitative, open-ended essay techniques to collect the data. Future studies may use a mixed-methods approach to provide holistic insights. The study is conducted in a single developed country, the UK. Future work may expand these findings by comparing developed market challenges with those of emerging markets and by assessing the viewpoints of healthcare start-ups.

Practical implications

This research will assist the healthcare sector and government understand health tech start-up hurdles and uncertainty. Policymakers must assist start-ups and encourage entrepreneurial innovation. Regulating and enabling policies will help. The paper examines start-ups' macro, meso and micro uncertainties. Policymakers promoting sector entrepreneurship must consider these barriers while designing policy guidelines.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature on technology start-ups, particularly in the healthcare industry, and identifies significant barriers these start-ups face. The study synthesizes research on health-tech start-up uncertainty and bridges the gap between theory and practice by applying empirical findings.

中文翻译：

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消除高科技初创企业的障碍：医疗保健企业的实用见解和解决方案

目的

除了基于技术的生态系统外，医疗保健初创企业也在成倍扩张。另一方面，潜在的不确定性给这些健康科技企业带来宏观、中观、微观层面的挑战，影响其经营状况和盈利能力。本研究旨在了解导致企业创办医疗保健科技初创企业的宏观、中观和微观层面的障碍。该研究还观察了这些挑战随着时间的推移对企业绩效和成本结构的影响。该研究利用不确定性下的行为理论，揭示了阻碍业务增长并导致健康科技初创企业不确定性的多重系统性、部门相关性、人力和实施障碍。

设计/方法论/途径

该研究采用扎根理论方法，通过在线参与者池收集了英国 51 家健康科技初创企业的观点。使用定性数据技术以开放式论文的形式收集数据，并使用主题编码过程进行内容分析。问题集中在建立或运营医疗保健初创企业时的不同制度不确定性或障碍。

发现

该研究揭示了这些科技型企业在医疗保健行业中感受到的几个宏观、中观和微观层面的障碍。这些被认为是系统性障碍，例如缺乏资金和程序问题；与部门相关的障碍，例如与市场相关的障碍；人为障碍，包括心理障碍和对新技术的抵制；以及实施障碍，例如运营和人员问题。

研究局限性/影响

该研究使用定性、开放式论文技术来收集数据。未来的研究可能会使用混合方法来提供整体见解。这项研究是在一个发达国家——英国进行的。未来的工作可能会通过比较发达市场与新兴市场的挑战以及评估医疗保健初创企业的观点来扩展这些发现。

实际影响

这项研究将帮助医疗保健部门和政府了解医疗科技初创的障碍和不确定性。政策制定者必须帮助初创企业并鼓励创业创新。监管和扶持政策将会有所帮助。本文研究了初创企业的宏观、中观和微观不确定性。促进部门创业的政策制定者在设计政策指导方针时必须考虑这些障碍。

原创性/价值

该研究丰富了有关技术初创企业（尤其是医疗保健行业）的现有文献，并确定了这些初创企业面临的重大障碍。该研究综合了对健康科技初创企业不确定性的研究，并通过应用实证研究结果弥合了理论与实践之间的差距。