Evenly Is Even Better? Digital Competitiveness and the Quality of Medical Research

Abstract

The combination of rapid advances in digital technology and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of knowledge sharing and balanced advances in medical research. This study explored how digital competitiveness influences the diverse quality of medical research in vital areas. Based on our synthesized framework of research quality, we found that digital competitiveness benefits medical research broadly but not evenly. While digital competitiveness was positively associated with impactful research across all four fields in vital areas, the relationship between digital competitiveness and science-based and explorative research varied depending on the field. By focusing on the quality of medical research rather than a specific medical service, our study offers meaningful implications for knowledge sharing and collaborative research, which are key conditions for the sustainable development of medicine.