The value of co-creation through Design Science Research in developing a Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem for South Africa

The purpose of this paper is to indicate what value was co-created with various stakeholders when Design Science Research as a methodology was applied, to develop a Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem (DHIE) for South Africa. Design science research as a methodology was applied which also involves design thinking. This methodology focuses on the creation of new knowledge and it is a research procedure for producing innovative constructions intended to solve problems faced in the real world. The value is to make a contribution to the theory of the discipline in which it is applied and this regard the discipline is Health Informatics. The outcome of the application of co-creation where different stakeholders were involved resulted in the development of a Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem for South Africa. This type of ecosystem has never been developed before with the involvement, feedback and contributions of the various stakeholders in South Africa. The development of the ecosystem went through various iterations/phases based on the methodology of Design Science Research. It was found that the most essential elements in this ecosystem should be the context that encapsulates the co-creation dimensions of social, technological, economic, environment as well as value-based ethics (better known as the STEEPV model) with various stakeholders, as depicted in the different layers of local, regional, national and international dimensions evident in an innovation ecosystem. Under innovation, the importance of applying a specific innovation process (Open Innovation 2.0) is important where stakeholders and users are involved to co-create. The role of users and stakeholders is very prominent as it was indicated in the workshops to be the essence of customising or localising digital health innovations to fit the needs of the consumer or patient. The greatest challenge and opportunity for preventive health innovation lies in closing the gap between what we know and what we do. This includes attitude and behavioural changes by many different stakeholder groups. This ecosystem development through co-creation stimulated the National System of Innovation in South Africa as the lessons learnt from this development informed organizations, the health industry and government of South Africa. It also contributed to the body of knowledge on co-creation and value creation even though it was applied in the health sector.