Strategic Drivers and Institutional Challenges in Implementing Sustainable Practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Healthcare
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70301/CONF.SBS-JABR.2025.1/1.7Keywords:
Sustainability barriers; , sustainable healthcare, Organizational readiness, Sustainability adoption, UAE healthcare system, Change ManagementAbstract
This study investigates how knowledge, perceived barriers, and enabling resources influence the adoption of sustainable healthcare practices among professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Employing a mixed-methods design, quantitative data from 512 healthcare workers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multiple regression models, while a qualitative case study of a mid-sized accredited hospital added contextual depth. Findings indicate that awareness of sustainability principles (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and leadership visibility (β = 0.36, p = 0.002) are strong predictors of engagement, yet implementation is hindered by limited technical expertise, weak institutional coordination, and resource constraints, particularly in private-sector units lacking formal policy structures. Chi-square analysis confirmed a significant association between training availability and adoption (χ²(4, N=512) = 26.47, p < 0.001), while ANOVA revealed significant differences in adoption across institutional types (F(2, 509) = 8.62, p < 0.001). Despite this, 56.3% of professionals reported no formal participation in sustainability initiatives. Leadership visibility and departmental context significantly moderated these relationships, with structured leadership involvement, role-specific training, and dedicated sustainability positions identified as critical enablers. The case study further highlights disparities in analytical capacity and the influence of recognition systems on staff behavior. Drawing on SEST, RBV, TPB, and Kotter’s Change Model, this research proposes the Sustainable Reported Outcomes Measure for Healthcare Sustainability (SROMS), a conceptual framework to guide institutions within a Value-Based Healthcare model. Ethical approval was granted by the Swiss Business School Research Advisory Board. The findings contribute to international sustainability discourse and provide actionable guidance for advancing sustainable practices in healthcare institutions, it informed the development of the Sustainability Reported Outcomes Measure for Healthcare (SROMS), a sector-specific framework that integrates sustainability with quality and safety, offering a practical pathway for adoption in UAE healthcare and beyond.
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