Using the social innovation perspective to explain the emergence and consequences of a cross-border health services system for the thai-cambodia border

Abstract

Social innovation is crucial for ensuring access to health services and improving the quality of life for people in the border areas, especially migrant groups. However, social innovation is challenging in the context of unfavourable environments and resource constraints. The purpose of this paper was to examine the emergence, factors, and consequences of social innovation in a cross-border health service system for access to health services at the Thai-Cambodian border, Klong Yai-Koh Kong, using a case study format. The data were collected from documents and key informants using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations. Based on the content analysis, it was found that social innovation arose from problems and crises, while being driven by the cooperation of stakeholders in the border areas. Key factors, including social capital, relational capital, and human capital existed in the area. Furthermore, the shift in perspectives on issues, out-of-the-box thinking, good leadership, trust, transnational cooperation networks, and results-oriented work has resulted in greater access to health services for migrant populations. Therefore, it is recommended to promote border areas with rich social capital, human capital, and good cross-border relations in order to generate and foster social innovation, as well as to establish local learning mechanisms to improve and adapt social innovation for changes.