dimensions related to the study of modularity. Examples of these dimensions are
modular service architectures, service platforms, degree of coupling, and commonality
sharing (Voss and Hsuan, 2009). Moreover, to build a comprehensive understanding
of modularity in long-term care, future research should study various modularity
aspects and dimensions simultaneously and focus on the integration of insights on
all dimensions related to care and service modularity.
We already stressed that this study is based on empirical evidence from the long-
term care sector. Even though we expect that our findings concerning modularity are
applicable to other care and service fields, it is necessary to investigate this. Future
research should, therefore, focus on a comparison of the insights we have developed
with modularity practices in other care settings and in various service contexts.
Other care settings have characteristics and typicalities that differ from the field of
long-term care and it would be interesting to see if
modularity is as applicable to, for
example, types of care that concern a shorter time span, or types of care that face less
(or even more) diversity, multiplicity and changeability in demand. Furthermore, it
would be interesting to look for similarities and differences concerning modularity
in different types of service settings and compare, for example, people-processing
service settings such as health care with information-processing service settings (e.g.
banking, insurance) and possession-processing service settings (e.g. maintenance).
Finally, it would be interesting to compare, within a particular service setting, service
providers that work in a modular fashion vis-à-vis those that do not. As such, insights
can be gained in the choices and tradeoffs involved in both ways of working and their
perceived advantages and disadvantages.
For the purpose of this study, qualitative case studies were considered the most appropriate
research methodology. To further develop and test theory on service modularity, however,
other types of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies will be beneficial. Also
to directly test the relation between modularity and demand-based care provision, future
research will benefit from qualitative studies based on large sample sizes.
Finally, the best way to assess the value of modularity in the field of long-term care is
by means of a more thorough, conscious, and considered application of the concept in
practice. It is therefore highly advisable to perform intervention studies in the field of
long-term care for the elderly as well as in other care fields such as residential care for the
elderly. In this respect, implementation practices should be carefully investigated and
it is advisable to direct future research to influencing factors, effective implementation
methods and strategies, capabilities needed by organizations and professionals, and
changes that will be required in the health care environment to deal with a modular
care and service system. As such, the transfer of scientific knowledge and insights to
the day-to-day practice of long-term care providers will be assured.
232
Modular
Care Provision
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Discussion and c
onclusions
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