Research Article Open Access

Incorporating Electronic Business Initiatives in Health Services and Health Tourism: A Case Study of Malaysia

Abstract

Telecommunications, information communication technology, miniaturization, computers and Internet went through shorter product life styles and achieved widespread diffusion and reformed the nature of business operation and enhanced competitive business environment instantly. This technological advancement has resulted in evolution and innovation of many products, services and business processes. The Internet has resulted in the emergence of virtual markets with four primary distinctive characteristics, which are real time, shared, open and global. The greatest feature of the Internet is the absence of intermediaries; the manufacturers are able to sell their product relatively easier to buyers via Internet. E-business today is no longer technological issue, but is also a business issue. Incorporating E-business initiatives in health services aims to go beyond the traditional modes of healthcare delivery and instead, provide greater access to better and higher quality healthcare. It is achieved by grabbing opportunities of enhanced multimedia and information technologies and developing new technological solutions. In addition, E-business initiative is incorporated in enhancing health tourism sector through cost cutting strategies and improving quality of patients' care. Thus, this paper attempts to discuss the current states of health services and health tourism and how the emergence of E-business initiative can be capitalized to further boost the industry in Malaysia.

Mohammad Talh and Abdullah Sallehhuddin Abdullah Salim

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