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Responsible for Responsibility? A Study of Digital E-health Startups

Author

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  • Elin Merethe Oftedal

    (School of Business and Economics, UiT–The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway)

  • Lene Foss

    (School of Business and Economics, UiT–The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway)

  • Tatiana Iakovleva

    (Stavanger Business School, University of Stavanger, PO 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway)

Abstract

Responsible innovation (RI) has received increased attention from policymakers and academics as a solution to grand challenges and is viewed as the main driver for innovation. The United Nations has suggested 17 Sustainable Development Goals and responsible innovation can be seen as a tool that allows the movement of society towards reducing inequality, coping with environmental challenges and sustaining countries’ economic and societal development. Our knowledge of how businesses act responsibly in solving these challenges is scarce. An inductive analysis of 14 e-health startups in Norway, shows that responsibility is highly prevalent. Entrepreneurs have instant contact with users (patients or healthcare professionals), which increases inclusiveness, anticipation and reflection as the main elements of responsibility. However, firms’ contextual and strategic awareness of responsibility remains low, which means an absence of focused strategies to exercise responsibility. Consequently, entrepreneurial startups are prevented from reaching broader stakeholders and fully reflecting the knowledge obtained. Moreover, RI activities are often bundled with other activities on the “path” to successful commercialization. This paper contributes to and enriches the current RI understanding from a firm perspective and suggests some implications for practitioners as well as policymakers to enhance sustainable development in the healthcare sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Elin Merethe Oftedal & Lene Foss & Tatiana Iakovleva, 2019. "Responsible for Responsibility? A Study of Digital E-health Startups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5433-:d:272437
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    2. Maria Emilsson & Ulf Ernstson & Linn Gustavsson & Ann Svensson, 2020. "Sustainable Innovations in Small Enterprises for the Transformation of the Primary Healthcare Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Sascha Noel Weimar & Rahel Sophie Martjan & Orestis Terzidis, 2025. "Conceptualizing the landscape of digital health entrepreneurship: a systematic review and research agenda," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(2), pages 1619-1667, June.
    4. Chakraborty, Imon & Nandhini, K. & Ilavarasan, P. Vigneswara & Edirippulige, Sisira, 2024. "Factors of front-end innovation in fem-tech startups: An empirical study," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    5. Islem Khefacha & Rabiaa Romdhane & Haykel Haj Salem, 2024. "Unveiling the relationship between entrepreneurial aspirations and prosperity: An international panel study using GEM data," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 421-449, March.
    6. Tatiana Iakovleva & John Bessant & Elin Oftedal & Luciana Maines da Silva, 2021. "Innovating Responsibly—Challenges and Future Research Agendas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-6, March.
    7. Wiarda, Martijn & van de Kaa, Geerten & Yaghmaei, Emad & Doorn, Neelke, 2021. "A comprehensive appraisal of responsible research and innovation: From roots to leaves," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    8. Agata Gurzawska, 2021. "Responsible Innovation in Business: Perceptions, Evaluation Practices and Lessons Learnt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.
    9. Guckenbiehl, Peter & Corral de Zubielqui, Graciela & Lindsay, Noel, 2021. "Knowledge and innovation in start-up ventures: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    10. Tatiana Iakovleva & Elin Oftedal & John Bessant, 2021. "Changing Role of Users—Innovating Responsibly in Digital Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Charles Karani & Patience Mshenga, 2021. "Steering the sustainability of entrepreneurial start-ups," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 11(1), pages 223-239, December.
    12. Thammarat Koottatep & Krisakorn Sukavejworakit & Thanaphol Virasa, 2020. "Roadmap for Innovators in the Process of Innovation for Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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