TY - JOUR T1 - An Analysis of Competitiveness of Medical Tourism in Malaysia and Thailand:A Strategic Management Approach AU - Hin, Cheng Wei AU - Bohari, Abdul Manaf AU - Theam Pu, Lim JO - International Business Management VL - 7 IS - 6 SP - 493 EP - 499 PY - 2013 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1993-5250 DO - ibm.2013.493.499 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=ibm.2013.493.499 KW - Medical tourism KW -competitive advantage KW -strategic management approach KW - KW -heart surgery KW -Malaysia AB - In this age of globalization and escalating medical costs patients around the globe, especially in developed countries have to consider comparing different countries to seek for medical care. Medical tourism encompasses all the industries in catering to patients seeking health care outside their home region. These industries include health care, travel, accommodation and also recreation. This study examined the competitiveness of Malaysia (in particular, State of Penang) with Thailand in the medical tourism industry using a conceptual approach derived from strategic management discipline. The approach used were SWOT analysis, Porter’s 5 forces analysis and competitive positioning matrix. Medical tourism has both strengths and weaknesses to both countries with Thailand being more competitive in medical treatment like plastic surgery, they have developed their medical tourism earlier than Malaysia while Malaysia (Penang) has more competitive advantage in heart surgery wide usage of English, Penang as a tourist destination attraction and reasonable cost. ER -