Title: Implementing collaborative practices in the healthcare supply chain: insights into hospital-vendor operations

Authors: Aristides Matopoulos; Liana Michailidou

Addresses: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Engineering Systems and Management Group, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK ' Department of Marketing and Operations Management, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia St. 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: The paper discusses the characteristics of healthcare supply chains, and puts particular emphasis on the implementation of VMI/CMI in this sector specific context. By the means of case study research the paper provides empirical data on the benefits of the above collaborative practices for both the hospital and vendors. The paper contributes to the stream of research on VMI/CMI in the healthcare sector, where limited research attempts have been conducted so far. In contrast to other surveys this case study shows that specific and measurable cost reductions exist, in addition to other improvements such as better control over the inventories, and also in reduction of administrative work. Results obtained may be also relevant to other hospitals and vendors and as they can form a basis for comparisons.

Keywords: healthcare supply chains; supply chain management; SCM; hospitals; co-managed inventory; vendor managed inventory; CMI; VMI; Greece; collaborative practices; collaboration; inventory control; cost reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2013.053773

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2013 Vol.15 No.2/3, pp.288 - 303

Published online: 27 Sep 2013 *

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