The Structural Evolution and Strategic Determinants of Medical Value Travel (MVT) in Emerging Economies: Evidence from India

Medical Value Travel; Institutional Pluralism; Transaction Cost Economics; Digital Health Governance; AYUSH; Tier-2 Clustering.

Purpose: This study examines the structural evolution of Medical Value Travel (MVT) in India and identifies the strategic factors that strengthen the country's competitiveness in the global healthcare market. The research focuses on the role of policy reforms, digital health infrastructure, institutional pluralism, and regional healthcare decentralization in shaping India's MVT ecosystem.

Methodology: The study adopts a qualitative research design based on secondary data analysis. Information was collected from government reports, policy documents, healthcare databases, international medical tourism reports, and published academic literature. The analysis is guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) frameworks to evaluate the institutional and strategic determinants influencing medical value travel.

Findings: The study finds that India's competitive advantage extends beyond affordable treatment costs to include integrated healthcare services, digital transformation, supportive government policies, and the emergence of Tier-2 healthcare clusters. The convergence of modern tertiary care with AYUSH systems further enhances patient value by promoting comprehensive and preventive healthcare services.

Originality/Value: The paper presents a holistic framework for understanding India's evolving MVT ecosystem and offers policy insights to improve global competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth in international healthcare services.