Critical success factors for the adoption and diffusion of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector: A case of private healthcare organisations in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to identify and confirm the critical success factors for the adoption and diffusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare sector with reference to private healthcare players in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study adopted an explanatory quantitative research design where a judgmental sample of 250 information and communication technology professionals and managers working in three large private healthcare firms in Harare was selected to complete a questionnaire. Questions on the study’s questionnaire were informed by a conceptual framework of critical success factors for the adoption and diffusion of AI with 27 variables grouped into six constructs using theoretical factor analysis. Data from this study were analyzed with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) employing the commonly used principal components analysis technique and then the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). All six predicted success factors for the adoption and diffusion of AI in the selected private healthcare firms in Harare, Zimbabwe, were validated with EFA and confirmed by CFA and SEM. Whilst the literature reviewed supported people as the most critical success factor, this research supports investment (β=0.78) as the most critical success factor and people (β=0.50) as the least critical success factor. All the four secondary research objectives of the study were achieved hence the main research objective. Although technologies and applications of AI have been widely studied and the impact of technologies adoption are identified in existing literature, studies on the critical success factors of AI adoption and diffusion remain sparse. Governance issues that must be addressed include infrastructural issues, needs and priorities. There is need for national policies and regulatory framework that are aimed at implementing standards and assisting with organisational change required for adoption of AI technologies. This study provides support for organisations’ decision-making and resource allocation regarding AI adoption and diffusion. A policy for investment decisions should be put in place at both organisational and national levels if the healthcare sector in Zimbabwe is to improve service delivery using AI.