DOI:
Citation: Lankton, N., Mukherjee, A., & Mukherjee, K.(2021). Understanding pandemic contact tracing from a design thinking perspective. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 86(4),3-5.
Because of their novel origin, highly infectious nature and ability to spread from non-symptomatic people, pandemics can bring society and businesses to a standstill and death to hundreds of thousands of people across the world. Public health experts point to four Ts in successful epidemiological control, namely, test, trace, track, and treat. Since COVID-19 has no effective treatment, contact tracing has been a vital part of COVID-19 disease control and focuses on identifying and isolating people who have come into contact with individuals who have tested positive for the disease. Early surveys show that individuals are not comfortable with all contact tracing methods, however academic research on the topic is limited. This study examines consumer beliefs and perceptions of contact tracing using design-thinking empathy interview within a grounded theory approach. Data collected from three online group interviews provided insight into consumer feelings, beliefs, and perceptions related to contact tracing. The authors discuss the findings and propose an integrated theoretical model consisting of the antecedents, beliefs and perception, and consequences of contract tracing. Implications and recommendations for both research and practice are discussed.
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