Open AccessStrategic Analysis of Shiraz Medical Tourism Industry: A Mixed Method Study
Author(s) -
Mohammad Kazem Rahimi Zarchi,
Alireza Jabbari,
Nahid Hatam,
Peivand Bastani,
Tahereh Shafaghat,
Omid Fazelzadeh
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
galen medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2588-2767
pISSN - 2322-2379
DOI - 10.31661/gmj.v7i0.1021
Subject(s) - swot analysis , medical tourism , tourism , revenue , marketing , internal revenue , qualitative research , service (business) , population , medicine , strengths and weaknesses , business , environmental health , finance , social science , philosophy , epistemology , sociology , political science , law
Background: The connection between healthcare and tourism industries in many countries has created one of the largest service industries, i.e. "medical tourism industry". Medical tourism services bring significant benefits to the countries. This study aimed to examine internal and external factors affecting Shiraz medical tourism industry as well as the potential capabilities of the industry.Materials and Methods: This applied research is a mixed method study using both qualitative and quantitative methods in 2017. The study population consisted of all organizations involved in the medical tourism industry. In this study, the deductive qualitative content analysis was employed to determine the internal and external factors affecting Shiraz medical tourism industry. Furthermore, the SWOT technique was used to analyze the data obtained from individual interviews and meetings with expert panels. Results: Internal and external factors were classified into 4 main themes (namely strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and 10 sub-themes, of which five cases (FORMM) were related to internal factors (i.e. finance, production and products (operations), research and development, marketing and management) and five cases (STEPC) were associated with external factors including socio-cultural, technology, economy, political and competitive ones. Also, the matrix of the internal and external factors indicated an offensive zone for this industry. Conclusions: This industry can make use of the strengths and opportunities to confront the threats and negative points through identifying internal and external factors in order to enjoy benefits such as job creation and revenue gains. [GMJ.2018;7:e1021]