Title: Exploring lean healthcare practice and supply chain innovation for Malaysian healthcare industry

Authors: Nurul Fadly Habidin; Nurul Aifaa Shazali; Naimah Ali; Nur Afni Khaidir; Noor Hidayah Jamaludin

Addresses: Department of Management and Leadership, Faculty of Management and Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia ' Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia ' Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia ' Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia ' Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Management and Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract: Lean and supply chain are two quality practices which are the most effective business improvement techniques that focus on continuous improvement process. They are adopted to improve business process, reduce waste, reduce defects, reduce cycle times, fast delivery at the minimal cost and accelerate the process in identifying the best solution practices for ensuring excellence in operational and service management. The purpose of this study is to explore lean healthcare practice adopted by Malaysian healthcare industry and the relationship between lean healthcare practices and supply chain innovation performance. Four dimensions of lean healthcare practice (leadership, employee involvement, organisational culture, customer focus) were determined to have a significant and positive direct relationship with supply chain innovation performance efforts. Furthermore, through this analysis, a structural relationship model using structural equation modelling (SEM) has been proposed. The research hypotheses are being developed based on the proposed conceptual model and reviewed. Finally, the paper study culminates with suggested future research work.

Keywords: lean healthcare practice; LHP; supply chain innovation; SCI; technological innovation; process innovation; quality initiatives; management strategy; service industry; healthcare services; Malaysia; structural equation modelling; SEM; supply chain management; SCM; lean thinking; continuous improvement; conceptual modelling; leadership; employee involvement; organisational culture; customer focus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2014.060782

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2014 Vol.7 No.3, pp.394 - 410

Published online: 07 Jun 2014 *

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