Title: Healthcare supply chains: critical supplies during the pandemic

Authors: Amelia Carr

Addresses: Department of Management, Schmidthorst College of Business, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, Mauer Center, 324, USA

Abstract: This study seeks to gain an understanding of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare supply chains. The study examines six healthcare systems located in the USA. The relevant literature is reviewed on strategic sourcing, supply management, cost management, and healthcare supply chain preparedness. Comparisons of how COVID-19 pandemic affected the different healthcare systems are presented along with propositions. The study includes interviews with supply management representatives in each of the healthcare systems to shed light on their organisations' response to the pandemic. This study identifies common and unique aspects of how the pandemic affected the healthcare systems. Strategic sourcing and developing appropriate relationships are identified as important contributors to the success of healthcare systems in obtaining critical supplies. Information technology and flexible cost management are also suggested to be important to the success of the healthcare supply chain during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: case study; healthcare supply chain; COVID-19 pandemic; critical supplies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2024.140607

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2024 Vol.21 No.1, pp.114 - 142

Received: 14 Oct 2022
Accepted: 14 Aug 2023
Published online: 28 Aug 2024 *

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