Farokhlegha Mohammadi, Mandana Sahebzadeh, Yahya Hematyar Tabatabaei,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background and purpose: The complexity and extreme fluctuations in the healthcare environment, along with the occurrence of unforeseen disasters and risks, have increased the likelihood of disruptions in hospital supply chains. Strengthening supply chain resilience is a key strategy to mitigate these challenges and ensure the continued delivery of efficient and effective hospital services during crises. This study aims to conduct a structural analysis of the factors influencing the resilience of the hospital medical equipment supply chain using the Fuzzy MICMAC approach.
Methods: This mixed-method (qualitative-quantitative) study included faculty members knowledgeable in the field, heads of medical equipment departments in universities and hospitals, senior managers from medical equipment manufacturing and importing companies, and healthcare administrators. Data were collected through checklists and semi-structured interviews. Fuzzy matrix completion and MICMAC analysis were used for data processing, performed using Fuzzy MICMAC software.
Results: Among the identified factors, logistics management was found to have the highest impact on the resilience of the hospital medical equipment supply chain. In contrast, factors such as integration and coordination, cooperative relationships, competition, flexibility, human resource management, and risk/crisis management had the lowest direct impact. Environmental conditions, transparency and protection, information-sharing systems, and human resource management were identified as the least affected factors. Economic factors emerged as a highly influential indirect factor, significantly affecting supply chain resilience.
Conclusion: To enhance the resilience of hospital medical equipment supply chains, logistics management and economic factorsmust be prioritized. Additionally, agility and speed, risk/crisis management, competition, and the development of integrated and cooperative relationships play a moderately indirect role and should be considered in strategic planning.
