Supply chain management practices and service quality among public hospitals in Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

Supply chain management in the public health sector has received increasing attention in recent years as both a priority and a challenge for many countries as healthcare institutions find themselves with increasing number of products, programs and patients to manage. SCM practices involve a set of activities undertaken in an organization to promote effective management of its supply chain. The objective of the study was to explore the SCM practices among public hospitals in Nairobi County, the impact of these on service quality among public hospitals in Nairobi County and the challenges that public hospitals encounter in implementation of SCM practices. Among the areas reviewed include: supply chain management practices, impact of supply chain management on service quality and challenges of supply chain management and service quality delivery. Conceptual framework was also covered. The study adopted a case study descriptive design. The researcher conducted a census on all the seven (7) public hospitals in Nairobi County. The study used primary data collected through a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis. Research found that SCM practices implemented to a large extent were; after procurement service, specifications and specifications and the practice to be fully implemented was relationship with suppliers. The research established a positive correlation between service quality and SCM practices namely; relationship with suppliers, compatibility, standards and specifications, delivery and after procurement services. The present study used only public hospitals in Nairobi county, future studies should consider expanding their scope to include private hospitals. Further studies related to the health sector can be conducted especially comparative studies between public, private and military health service sectors.