Understanding the Transformation to a Knowledge-Based Health Bioeconomy: Exploring Dynamics Linked to Preventive Medicine in Kenya

Abstract

The bioeconomy transition is seen as a means to achieving industrial competitiveness. Targeted actions on leverage points can have specific effects on transitional changes in system dynamics; these actions have yet to be identified in the context of the knowledge-based health bioeconomy in Kenya. This paper employs system dynamics and grounded theory to identify causations linked to the feedback mechanisms in a complex adaptive system specific to preventive medicine in Kenya. The causal relations identified will allow for extended empirical interrogations. We conducted sixteen semi-structured interviews with key informants using purposive and theoretical sampling. Through these interviews, we obtained detailed information on trends for leverage points for a transition to a bioeconomy in Kenya. We developed three qualitative themes along the structure of information flows, rules, and goals of the system. In addition, we determined the overall perception of the health bioeconomy and elaborated stakeholder-specific applications. We identified a dissociation as a general perception that knowledge generation is the preservation of the public sector. Government effectiveness was found to affect public-service turnaround time, transparency, and regulatory interventions. Finally, we identified weak network failures as the key system failures whose functional deficiencies can be exploited for future policy legitimation.