“Advancing Healthcare Operations Through Strategic Supply Chain Management: A Case Study on Concord Healthcare Group.”

Abstract

This study looks at how strategic supply chain management (SCM) can improve the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of healthcare operations, focusing on Concord Healthcare Group as a case study. The healthcare sector in Bangladesh faces ongoing challenges like supply shortages, procurement delays, limited technology use, and rising operational costs. These issues show the need for a more strategic, coordinated, and data-driven approach to supply chain practices. The main goal of this research is to explore how much strategic SCM practices including procurement planning, supplier management, inventory control, logistics coordination, and information system integration help improve service delivery and patient outcomes. A structured questionnaire was given to supply chain professionals, clinical staff, administrative personnel, and external suppliers connected to Concord Healthcare Group. Additional insights came from interviews and secondary data sources, providing a complete understanding of the organization’s current SCM practices. The findings show that using strategic SCM practices greatly enhances operational efficiency by reducing stock outs, cutting lead times, improving supplier performance, and ensuring the availability of essential medical supplies. The study also indicates that effective SCM boosts collaboration between departments, supports clinical decision-making, and directly leads to better patient care quality. However, challenges like inadequate digital systems, limited staff training, budget issues, and unreliable suppliers continue to pose problems. Overall, this research highlights that strategic SCM is an important factor for achieving excellence in healthcare operations. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening SCM capabilities within Concord Healthcare Group, including demand forecasting, digital integration, staff development, supplier partnership programs, and risk management. These insights can help healthcare institutions improve service quality through better supply chain strategies.