economic analysis of inter-hospital cooperation: cooperation for competition

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how the uses of a certain number of economic analysis tools can identify the foundation and describe the current strategies of inter- hospital cooperation. We describe why comparative advantage concept of gain on specialization, scale effect, reputation effect and technological race are at the center of a logic that pushes institutionslocated in the same territory to enter in multiple cooperation. They are driven by the central objective of reducing the intensity of intra-territorial competition in order to increase the competitiveness of collective members. Based on empirical evidence and targeted literature, we mobilize key mechanisms coming from the industrial economy theory that allow us to propose a typology of cooperation arrangements. Finally, to resume the main arguments, we use an illustration of the relationship between three strategic dimensions closely linked: organizational reengineering, mastery of demand and cost control.