Transforming traditional CRM into social CRM: An empirical investigation in Iraqi healthcare industry.

The unprecedented growth of social media usage questions the conventional customer relationship management (CRM). Social CRM strategy is a novel version of CRM empowered by social media technology that offers a new way of managing relationships with customers effectively. The aims of this study are two-fold, examining the important determinants of the successful adoption of the social CRM; and to validate the outcomes on this novel social CRM adoption in the healthcare industry. The proposed adoption model of this study derived with theoretical support from TOE, DOI and ISS theories in IS/IT, social media, and CRM literatures. This undertaking focuses on the use of structural equations modelling, to examine a theoretical social CRM (Social Customer Relationship Management) model involving 17 Iraqi hospitals, and a sample total of 428. The model's principal independent constructs are associated to the viewpoint of top management, IT staff and operational staff, regarding the grounds for social CRM adoption, the operations performed on social CRM, and the themes employed. PLS-SEM was applied for statistical analysis, to evaluate the hypnotized linkages between the variables. The results show that, social CRM adoption has a tremendous impact on healthcare organizations with its perceived benefits. According to the results attained, all constructs have significant impact on social CRM adoption except for leadership knowledge. Consequently, adoption results in remarkable outcomes that gives credence to the intervening performance of social CRM. Following an examination of the model, which included a scrutiny of its pathways, we are of the view that the concerns, past history, and potential let-downs with regards to social CRM adoption, need to be thoroughly investigated. This study is one of the few researches that provide the in-depth knowledge about the constructs impacting CRM transformation and the benefits attained. The results can guide healthcare providers during their efforts to develop effective marketing techniques, and advance the perceived benefits, particularly in the healthcare profession. Moreover, this study contributes to the IS literature by suggesting the empirically extended TOE model which advances the conventional TOE model.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.