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A systematic literature review of healthcare supply chain and implications of future research

Anuj Dixit (Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India)
Srikanta Routroy (Mechanical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India)
Sunil Kumar Dubey (Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India)

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing

ISSN: 1750-6123

Article publication date: 4 October 2019

Issue publication date: 4 October 2019

5807

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the healthcare supply chain (HSC) literature along various areas and to find out the gap in it.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 143 research papers were reviewed during 1996-2017. A critical review was carried out in various dimensions such as research methodologies/data collection method (empirical, case study and literature review) and inquiry mode of research methodology (qualitative, quantitative and mixed), country-specific, targeted area, research aim and year of publication.

Findings

Supply chain (SC) operations, performance measurement, inventory management, lean and agile operation, and use of information technology were well studied and analyzed, however, employee and customer training, tracking and visibility of medicines, cold chain management, human resource practices, risk management and waste management are felt to be important areas but not much attention were made in this direction.

Research limitations/implications

Mainly drug and vaccine SC were considered in current study of HSC while SC along healthcare equipment and machine, hospitality and drug manufacturing related papers were excluded in this study.

Practical implications

This literature review has recognized and analyzed various issues relevant to HSC and shows the direction for future research to develop an efficient and effective HSC.

Originality/value

The insight of various aspects of HSC was explored in general for better and deeper understanding of it for designing of an efficient and competent HSC. The outcomes of the study may form a basis to decide direction of future research.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Department of Science and Technology - Rajasthan funded through the project no. P.7 (3) Vpro/R&D/2016/5957 entitled “Design of HSC for Enhancing Availability and Reducing Wastage of Generic Medicines for Rural Areas in Rajasthan.”

Citation

Dixit, A., Routroy, S. and Dubey, S.K. (2019), "A systematic literature review of healthcare supply chain and implications of future research", International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 405-435. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPHM-05-2018-0028

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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