Identification and leveling of green innovation barriers in hospitals using fuzzy Delphi and interpretive structural modeling

Green innovation provides a sustainable competitive advantage for hospitals and has been the focus of academics and managers in new business models. The purpose of this research is to identify and level the obstacles of green innovation in hospitals.

The present study is a descriptive-analytical type that was conducted with the participation of 18 experts from Rafsanjan hospitals in 1400. Experts were selected purposefully by snowball method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Fuzzy Delphi method and interpretive structural modeling and Excel software were used for data analysis.

The results showed that there are 11 obstacles in the green innovation of hospitals, including managerial obstacles, customers, laws and regulations, organizational, green human capital, information, finance, supply chain partners, competitors, technology and weak research and development. Of these obstacles, laws and regulations, competitors and customers are the most effective obstacles in moving towards green innovation.

According to the results, organizational barriers, supply chain partners, laws and regulations, customers and competitors are independent barriers that affect other barriers and should be prioritized to be resolved. By removing the obstacles identified in this research in order of priority, managers can help to improve the state of green innovation in hospitals in order to reduce environmental risks and increase sustainability.