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Refining SME Internationalization Strategies to Boost Innovation and Business Performance in Italian Healthcare Organizations
Fiorella Pia Salvatore, Rosa Spinnato, Michele Milone
Pages - 54 - 76 | Revised - 30-09-2025 | Published - 31-10-2025
Published in Special Issue of 3rd Business Research & Management (BRM) Conference: Towards A More Sustainable World (SIBRM13)
MORE INFORMATION
KEYWORDS
Italian Healthcare Organizations, Business Paradigm Transformation, Internationalization Strategy, SMEs.
ABSTRACT
Nowadays,Italian Healthcare Organizations face mounting challenges in innovation and international integration. This study explores how Small and Medium-Sized
Enterpriseinternationalization strategies can be adapted to IHOs to enhance service delivery, establish international collaborations and drive technological innovation. Based on the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, this study argues that IHOs can leverage specialized medical expertise, digital transformation and strategic partnerships to strengthen global positioning.
Using a literature synthesis methodology combined with logical deduction, this study examines the feasibility, advantages and challenges of implementing SME-inspired internationalization frameworks in IHOs. The findings highlight three primary success factors: a) Specialization in high-demand medical fields to differentiate services and attract international patients; b) Digital transformation, including AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine and data-driven healthcare models, to improve service efficiency and global accessibility; c) International partnerships with research institutions, technology firms and foreign healthcare providers to facilitate cross-border knowledge exchange and market expansion.
Despite the potential benefits, regulatory barriers, bureaucratic inefficiencies and technological adoption challenges may hinder implementation. The study highlights the need for organizational agility, policy reforms and investment in digital literacy to enable internationalization.
This study provides strategic insights for healthcare managers and policymakers, outlining managerial implications, challenges, and future research directions for integrating SME-based internationalization strategies into IHOs.
Using a literature synthesis methodology combined with logical deduction, this study examines the feasibility, advantages and challenges of implementing SME-inspired internationalization frameworks in IHOs. The findings highlight three primary success factors: a) Specialization in high-demand medical fields to differentiate services and attract international patients; b) Digital transformation, including AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine and data-driven healthcare models, to improve service efficiency and global accessibility; c) International partnerships with research institutions, technology firms and foreign healthcare providers to facilitate cross-border knowledge exchange and market expansion.
Despite the potential benefits, regulatory barriers, bureaucratic inefficiencies and technological adoption challenges may hinder implementation. The study highlights the need for organizational agility, policy reforms and investment in digital literacy to enable internationalization.
This study provides strategic insights for healthcare managers and policymakers, outlining managerial implications, challenges, and future research directions for integrating SME-based internationalization strategies into IHOs.
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Dr. Fiorella Pia Salvatore
Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Foggia, 7112 - Italy
fiorellapia.salvatore@unifg.it
Dr. Rosa Spinnato
Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Foggia, 7112 - Italy
Dr. Michele Milone
Department of Economics, University of Foggia, Foggia, 71121 - Italy
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