Title: Digitalisation and sustainable supply chain strategy: an instrument for improving efficiencies in the public healthcare sector

Authors: Munyaradzi Bvuchete; Sara Grobbelaar; Joubert Van Eeden

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Industrial Engineering Building, Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Industrial Engineering Building, Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa; DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciSTIP), Stellenbosch University, South Africa ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Industrial Engineering Building, Banghoek Road, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa

Abstract: In developing nations, health systems are still fragmented, especially components such as public supply chain and procurement systems, often resulting in medicine stock-outs at last mile health facilities. Sophisticated systems are needed to address these challenges, often in alignment with a demand driven supply chain management (DDSCM) strategy, which has been gaining momentum in other industries. If the vision of DDSCM is to be realised, most processes must become digitised and a critical element will be the evolution of traditional supply chains toward a connected, smart, and highly efficient supply chain ecosystem driven by actual demand information. This paper identifies DDSCM dimensions and map out the interrelationships between them. Validations of the interrelationships are put forward through a survey of 78 subject matter experts. To guide decision-makers on how the framework is used, case study results were used to generate a scenario to test the applicability of the tool in the public healthcare supply chain network. More broadly, the findings in this paper reveal that digital implementation, decision support and DDSCM supply chain strategy can enhance efficiency in the supply chain.

Keywords: demand driven supply chain management; DDSCM; digitalisation; sustainability; healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2022.126422

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2022 Vol.14 No.5/6, pp.559 - 587

Received: 03 Jun 2020
Accepted: 19 Nov 2020
Published online: 26 Oct 2022 *

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