Prototype Usefulness in Healthcare Delivery Reforms under Open Innovation Laboratories and Resource Access

Abstract

Healthcare delivery reforms are increasingly reliant on rapid innovation and the effective deployment of novel technological solutions. Open innovation laboratories have emerged as critical environments that facilitate the creation, testing, and refinement of such technologies. This paper investigates the mechanisms through which these laboratories enhance the perceived and actual usefulness of prototypes within healthcare settings. Drawing upon resource access theory and open innovation frameworks, the study examines how collaborative environments provide necessary tangible and intangible resources that bridge the gap between initial ideation and functional prototyping. The research proposes that open innovation laboratories do not merely act as physical spaces but function as dynamic resource conduits that mitigate the inherent risks of healthcare innovation. A comprehensive empirical analysis is conducted using data from numerous healthcare innovation hubs, evaluating the mediating role of resource access in the relationship between open innovation laboratory participation and prototype usefulness. The findings indicate a substantial positive correlation, suggesting that structured resource facilitation within these laboratories significantly elevates the viability and practical utility of early-stage medical solutions. This study contributes to the broader academic discourse on healthcare management by providing a robust theoretical model and empirical evidence supporting the strategic integration of open innovation paradigms in medical delivery reforms.