Innovation+for+social+good+I+-+Aravind+Eyecare+Case+Study

Aravind Eyecare Case Study
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 <>

Topic overview:
Today we begin our module on innovation for social good. We will begin by looking at how the Aravind Eyecare organization in southern India has used innovations in health-care processes and business models to radically transform the economics and availability of cataract surgery for poor and wealthy Indians alike. Over the past thirty five years they have performed over 2.8 million operations with a success rate to rival or best that of any other such clinic in the world and a cost structure that few successful healthcare provides clinics can replicate anywhere in the world. How do they do it? Review the case study materials to find out and come prepared to analyze and discuss in class on Wednesday.

Preparation for class:
Prior to today's class you need to carefully read the following case study on the Aravind Eyecare Clinic:
 * [RT07] V. Kasturi Rangan and R. D. Thulasiraj, Making Sight Affordable, Innovations Quarterly, MIT Press Journals, Fall 2007, Vol. 2, No. 4, Pages 35-49.
 * @http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/itgg.2007.2.4.35

In addition to the written case study you should watch the TED talk on the Aravind system by Thulasiraj Ravilla at:
 * @http://www.ted.com/talks/thulasiraj_ravilla_how_low_cost_eye_care_can_be_world_class.html

For supplemental information, you might also want to look at the following Aravind case study, though this will not be the primary case study that we discuss in class.
 * @http://www.managing-innovation.com/case_studies/Aravind%20Eye%20Clinics.pdf

Challenge Problem 7:
If you choose to do your case analysis for Challenge Problem 7 on the Aravind case, you need to submit a 2-3 page, single-spaced case analysis at the beginning of class on Wednesday. If you do not choose to do the Aravind case for your challenge problem 7, you should still come to class on Wednesday prepared to present your answers to the following questions, and to discuss Aravind more broadly

Your case analysis should explicitly address the following questions:
 * 1) Is Aravind's success primarily a function of their innovative approach, a focus on operational excellence, or a combination of both innovation and operational excellence? Provide a brief statement (no more than two paragraphs) supporting your answer to this question.
 * 2) What are the essential elements that make the Aravind approach successful?
 * 3) Should other hospitals adopt the Aravind approach? Is that realistic or desirable? How about adopting some parts of their approach and not others? Be precise in your recommendations and justify your conclusions.
 * 4) As a social entrepreneur looking for innovative ideas to better society, what general lessons do you take away from the Aravind case study?