The basic tasks implemented through supply chain management concern not only such prospects as cost reduction or timely transportation of necessary products. While evaluating the functions of supply chain coordination work in the healthcare sector, Mathur et al. (2018) note that along with the delivery perspective, this activity is directly correlated with organizational performance. This is expressed through several implications, including the quality of medical services, the appropriate equipment of institutions with the necessary resources, and other positive outcomes. Mathur et al. (2018) also highlight the cultural function that competent supply chain management has. Maintaining normal living conditions for people in society through timely medical care, both in emergency cases and everyday practice, largely depends on equipment and the ability to quickly reallocate appropriate resources (Mathur et al., 2018). Organizational efficiency, in this case, is also a dependent variable because the responsibility of the parties involved in the delivery of the right materials is the result of a sustainable interaction practice developed by the customer. As a result, the more stable healthcare supply chains are, the more successful medical institutions are, which influences the social sphere positively.
Organizational performance is a general term that includes additional aspects of activities that affect overall productivity. According to Hussain et al. (2018), in healthcare, competent managers evaluate not only the capacity of each of the involved parties but also the overall efficiency of networks, which, in turn, has a positive effect on planning. With the complete information about delivery volumes, transportation speeds, number of resellers, material registration procedures, and other valuable data, responsible parties can effectively schedule work, allocate necessary resources, and control the organizational budget. For the healthcare sector, these prospects are significant because many institutions are publicly funded, which, in turn, limits their ability to expect additional investment from the private sector. Hussain et al. (2018) also mention competitiveness as one of the factors that can influence work performance, and the productivity of supply chain management can be one of the incentives to improve the image of a healthcare institution. Therefore, in addition to social and cultural implications, it is essential to consider performance planning in the context of the topic of supply chain management.
Productive partnerships with suppliers can be the key to sustainable operation in the target environment. These relationships determine how ready the organization is to participate in mutually beneficial market processes. In the Bible, one of the quotes speaks of the importance of maintaining positive communication with partners: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (“2 Corinthians 9:10,” n.d.). In the context of the healthcare sector, in addition to the benefits for medical facilities, patient outcomes are improved through competent services delivered with the right equipment. Thus, supply chain management is more than merely cost reduction because this activity directly correlates with benefits for different parties and contributes to improving people’s well-being due to facilities’ sufficient resource bases.
References
2 Corinthians 9:10. (n.d.). English Standard Version Bible. Web.
Hussain, M., Ajmal, M. M., Gunasekaran, A., & Khan, M. (2018). Exploration of social sustainability in healthcare supply chain. Journal of Cleaner Production, 203, 977-989. Web.
Mathur, B., Gupta, S., Meena, M. L., & Dangayach, G. S. (2018). Healthcare supply chain management: Literature review and some issues. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 15(3), 265-287. Web.