Citation

Dan, Wang and Mahdee, Junainah and Mohd Fauzi, Nurazlin (2026) Operational Effectiveness and Strategic Enhancement for Small and Medium-Sized Health Consulting Firms in China. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, 612. pp. 901-908. ISSN 2198-4182

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Abstract

This paper explores the operational effectiveness and strategic enhancements of SMEs in the health consulting industry of China, a rapidly developing sector fuelled by increased health awareness and governmental campaigns such as the Healthy China 2030 action plan. Although the industry experiences favourable market conditions, SMEs face several significant barriers that disrupt their ability to capitalise on the growing opportunities. Specifically, SME-related disadvantages include constraints in financial resources, a lack of brand awareness, difficulties in attracting professional staff, and low application of modern technologies, which undermine their ability to stay competitive and provide high-quality services. The study is designed as a mixed- method research based on both quantitative data obtained through structured questionnaires and qualitative information derived from semi-structured interviews with the main SME stakeholders. This integrative research methodology allows the identification of the most distinctive operational struggles and the most common strategic responses among health consulting SMEs. The analysis indicates a relatively high level of digital reliance among SMEs, boasting improved operational effectiveness and customer engagement. Meanwhile, associated strategies often fail to reach their maximum potential due to the overall operational challenges faced by the entire industry. The study concludes that to prosper in the rapidly changing healthcare consulting sector in China, SMEs in this country need to invest in digital transformation and brand-building strategies. The study also emphasises the importance of policymakers to provide favourable conditions for SMEs with access to the required resources such as funding and skilled personnel. The practical implication of the study involves a set of potential strategies targeted for those SMEs in China that utilise specific policymaker recommendations to build an SME-friendly business environment that is essential for the construction of a sustainable eco-system in this sector in this country. However, anticipated directions for further research are likely to focus on identifying the longitudinal effects of digital transformation and other strategic improvements on SME performance and adaptation in the fast-paced healthcare market.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD2321-4730.9 Industry > HD2340.8-2346.5 Small and medium-sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades
Divisions:	Faculty of Management (FOM)
Depositing User:	Ms Suzilawati Abu Samah
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 00:47
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2026 09:13
URII:	http://shdl.mmu.edu.my/id/eprint/15328

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