International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy

Medical tourism is a global phenomenon in many parts of the world. It features an activity where individuals travel from home country to the host country to seek or receive medical healthcare. Being the third largest sector, medical tourism has a significant contribution towards economic development in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region. However, the literature review depicts a scarcity of research on niche areas among the top player in this region. This study aims to explore the development of the medical tourism industry in the SEA region. An in-depth interview with stakeholders and private hospitals were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis coupled with document analysis from various secondary data. Four SEA regions were chosen namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore which offer specific niche markets to promote the medical tourism industry. Interestingly, these countries are complementing and not competing with each other in the same industry. This study is vital in enriching the literature in the field of medical tourism in showcasing the niche market of medical tourism in the SEA region. This study also contributes greatly to comparative analysis between these countries in the medical tourism sector. 

This study examines the factors influencing accountability practices in funds management of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Yemen. A total of 75 local NGOs operate in Yemen, receiving local and foreign funding. A structured online questionnaire was employed for data collection. This study found that accountability was not widely practiced among the NGOs in Yemen. The level of accountability practices of these NGOs was significantly influenced by funding competition and perceived motive. The results of the study offer important implications for both policymakers and NGOs. The relevant regulatory bodies must formulate policies to enhance the NGOs’ accountability for improved efficiency and transparency. The NGOs, on the other hand, are expected to be transparent in ensuring the resources are well managed, and services are delivered efficiently and effectively to the recipients.

This research analyses how a service firm develops an ecosystem and serves as the orchestrator. A unique coffee shop in a mountainous area was used as the subject because it has abundant resources to become an orchestrator and various distinctive traits. A single case study design was selected to enable researchers to analyse depth and rich data, covering all participants within the ecosystem. Using a holistic case study design enables investigators to explore complex interplays of ecosystem participants. This study demonstrates that a firm uses elements of dynamic capabilities to manage the evolving process of ecosystem dynamics, starting from the initial formation of the ecosystem to the maturity stage. Our analysis identifies what derivative capabilities can be created from each element of dynamic capabilities and how these derivative capabilities are employed for developing and managing partners involved in the ecosystem. This study establishes a contribution by examining a coffee shop, representing a small service firm, and its evolution into an ecosystem orchestrator role - an under-explored setting in prevailing orchestration literature concentrated on large platform corporations. Single case studies are often criticized because their generalizability is thin and their findings are narrow. However, this weakness has led to the advantage of presenting insights in detail and depth.

This research analyses how a service firm develops an ecosystem and serves as the orchestrator. A unique coffee shop in a mountainous area was used as the subject because it has abundant resources to become an orchestrator and various distinctive traits. A single case study design was selected to enable researchers to analyse depth and rich data, covering all participants within the ecosystem. Using a holistic case study design enables investigators to explore complex interplays of ecosystem participants. This study demonstrates that a firm uses elements of dynamic capabilities to manage the evolving process of ecosystem dynamics, starting from the initial formation of the ecosystem to the maturity stage. Our analysis identifies what derivative capabilities can be created from each element of dynamic capabilities and how these derivative capabilities are employed for developing and managing partners involved in the ecosystem. This study establishes a contribution by examining a coffee shop, representing a small service firm, and its evolution into an ecosystem orchestrator role - an under-explored setting in prevailing orchestration literature concentrated on large platform corporations. Single case studies are often criticized because their generalizability is thin and their findings are narrow. However, this weakness has led to the advantage of presenting insights in detail and depth.

This study examines the factors influencing accountability practices in funds management of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Yemen. A total of 75 local NGOs operate in Yemen, receiving local and foreign funding. A structured online questionnaire was employed for data collection. This study found that accountability was not widely practiced among the NGOs in Yemen. The level of accountability practices of these NGOs was significantly influenced by funding competition and perceived motive. The results of the study offer important implications for both policymakers and NGOs. The relevant regulatory bodies must formulate policies to enhance the NGOs’ accountability for improved efficiency and transparency. The NGOs, on the other hand, are expected to be transparent in ensuring the resources are well managed, and services are delivered efficiently and effectively to the recipients.

Medical tourism is a global phenomenon in many parts of the world. It features an activity where individuals travel from home country to the host country to seek or receive medical healthcare. Being the third largest sector, medical tourism has a significant contribution towards economic development in the Southeast Asia (SEA) region. However, the literature review depicts a scarcity of research on niche areas among the top player in this region. This study aims to explore the development of the medical tourism industry in the SEA region. An in-depth interview with stakeholders and private hospitals were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis coupled with document analysis from various secondary data. Four SEA regions were chosen namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore which offer specific niche markets to promote the medical tourism industry. Interestingly, these countries are complementing and not competing with each other in the same industry. This study is vital in enriching the literature in the field of medical tourism in showcasing the niche market of medical tourism in the SEA region. This study also contributes greatly to comparative analysis between these countries in the medical tourism sector.