The role of strategic capabilities on the relationship between supplier benchmarking and quality of health care services among private hospitals in Western Kenya

Titus Walumbe; Yusuf  Kibet; Christopher Ngacho

doi:10.51867/ajernet.6.3.56

Authors

Walumbe Titus
walumbetitus@gmail.com
PhD Student Kisii University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7379-3455
Dr. Yusuf Kibet Lecturer Moi University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9287-5653
Prof. Christopher Ngacho Lecturer Kisii University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8433-5307

Keywords:

Strategic Capabilities, Supplier Benchmarking, Private Hospitals, Quality of Health Care Services, Western Kenya

Abstract

Private hospitals adopt effective health care supply chain management practices (SCM) without exception to supplier benchmarking to promote their advancement of quality health care. In this regard, private hospitals manage their supply chain strategically to reduce cost of operation, improve service quality, improve patient safety and generate adequate revenue. However, there are mixed findings on the link between supply bench marking and quality of health care services which provided a gap for further interrogation. Therefore, the general objective of the study was to analyze the moderating role of strategic capabilities on the relationship between supplier bench marking and quality of health care services among private hospitals in Western Kenya. This study was premised on resource dependency and service quality theories. The study used the explanatory cross-sectional research design. A target population of 880 employees in private health hospitals in Western Kenya was adopted. The study determined the sample size of 335 respondents by use of Krejcie and Morgan 1970 formular and considered a non-response rate of 20%. The study used multistage sampling technique with questionaire to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS version 25.0 software. Regression analysis showed supplier benchmarking significantly predicts healthcare quality (B=0.726 p<0.001). Hierarchical regression revealed that adding strategic capabilities increased R² from 0.474 to 0.588, with strategic capability (B=0.191, p<0.01) and the interaction term (B=0.046, p<0.05) significantly moderating the relationship. The interaction effects demonstrate that strategic capabilities enhance the impact of supplier benchmarking on healthcare quality, confirming their moderating role in private hospitals in Western Kenya. In conclusion, this indirect and direct link highlights the importance of efficient, well-managed supply benchmarking in supporting and enhancing the overall quality of healthcare services. The study recommends that Private hospitals aiming to maintain competitiveness and deliver of high-quality healthcare services must enhance their supplier benchmarking practices by aligning them with strategic capability-oriented policies. This study provides an evidence-based framework linking supplier benchmarking and strategic capabilities in promoting the delivery of quality healthcare services.

Dimensions

REFERENCES

Adebayo, V. I., Paul, P. O., Eyo-Udo, N. L., & Ogugua, J. O. (2024). Procurement in healthcare: Ensuring efficiency and compliance in medical supplies and equipment management. Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 11(2), 060-069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/msarr.2024.11.2.0106

https://doi.org/10.30574/msarr.2024.11.2.0106

Agbo, M. U. (2020). Effects of benchmarking on performance of manufacturing firms: a study of Nigerian Breweries Plc. Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. International Journal of Business & Law Research, 8(2), 13-20.

Akoth, A. A. ( 2017). Effect of procurement practices on performance of public hospitals in Kisumu County, Kenya. Master's thesis, University of Nairobi.

Alkhuzaim, L., Kouhizadeh, M., & Sarkis, J. (2022). Resource and natural resource dependence theories in supply chains. In Handbook of Theories for Purchasing, Supply Chain and Management Research (pp. 153-167). Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104503.00015

https://doi.org/10.4337/9781839104503.00015

Almomani, R., Al-Ghdabi, R., & Banyhamdan, K. (2020). Patients' satisfaction of health service quality in public hospitals: A PubHosQual analysis. Management Science Letters, 10(8), 1803-1812. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.12.038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.12.038

AlOmari, F. (2022). The mediating role of hospital image: The impact of care cost and service quality on patient satisfaction. Journal of Innovation in Business and Economics, 6(01), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.22219/jibe.v6i01.18475 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/jibe.v6i01.18475

Archibald, M. (2017). resource dependency theory. Retrieved from From https://www.britannica.com on 28/04/2023

Asiedu, E., & Boateng, D. (2022). Supplier benchmarking and service quality in private healthcare facilities in Ghana: Moderating role of digital capabilities. African Journal of Health Economics, 11(2), 105-120.

Barasa, E., Manyara, A., & Molyneux, S. (2021). The importance of power and trust in external resource relationships in health systems. Health Policy and Planning, 36(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czaa153

Bartsch, S. M., Ferguson, M. C., McKinnell, J. A., O'shea, K. J., Wedlock, P. T., Siegmund, S. S., & Lee, B. Y. (2020). The Potential Health Care Costs And Resource Use Associated With COVID-19 In The United States: A simulation estimate of the direct medical costs and health care resource use associated with COVID-19 infections in the United States. Health affairs, 39(6), 927-935. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426

https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426

Bellizzi, M. G., dell'Olio, L., Eboli, L., & Mazzulla, G. (2020). Heterogeneity in desired bus service quality from users' and potential users' perspective. . Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 132, 365-377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2019.11.029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2019.11.029

Berendes, S., Heywood, P., & Oliver, S. (2011). Quality of private and public ambulatory health care in low and middle income countries: systematic review of comparative studies. PLoS Med, 8:e1000433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000433 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000433

Berk, R., Buja, A., Brown, L., George, E., Kuchibhotla, A. K., Su, W., & Zhao, L. (2021). Assumption lean regression.

Bhaskar, S., Tan, J., Bogers, M. L., Minssen, T., Badaruddin, H., Israeli-Korn, S., & Chesbrough, H. (2020). At the epicenter of COVID-19-the tragic failure of the global supply chain for medical supplies. Frontiers in public health,8, 56, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.562882 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.562882

Bhattacharya, A., & David, D. A. (2018). An empirical assessment of the operational performance through internal benchmarking: a case of a global logistics firm. Production Planning & Control, 29(7), 614-631. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1457809 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1457809

Blažev, M., Babarović, T., & Serracant, P. (2021). Characteristics of piloting longitudinal birth cohort surveys: a systematic review. Quality & Quantity, 55, 1047-1069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01042-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-020-01042-1

Blaikie, N., & Priest, J. (2019). Designing social research: The logic of anticipation. John Wiley & Sons.

Boakye, G., Gyedu, A., Stewart, M., Donkor, P., Mock, C., & Stewart, B. (2021). Assessment of local supply chains and stock management practices for trauma care resources in Ghana: a comparative small sample cross-sectional study. BMC health services research, 21(1), 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06063-6

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06063-6

Bryant, J. (2020). 9 Best Practices to Improve Your Healthcare Supply Chain. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://csiship.com/2020/07/30/9-best-practices-to-improve-your-healthcare-supply-chain on 26/08/2024.

Bvuchete, M., Grobbelaar, S. S., & Van Eeden, J. (2018). A case of healthcare supply chain visibility in South Africa. . In 2018 3rd Biennial South African Biomedical Engineering Conference (SAIBMEC) (pp. 1-5). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/SAIBMEC.2018.8363179 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/SAIBMEC.2018.8363179

Cahyaningratri, C., & Naylah, M. (2023). The effect of supply chain operational capabilities in consolidating organizational compatibility of supply chain process integration and business performance. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 11(1), 95-102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2022.11.006

https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2022.11.006

Chebet, A., & Muturi, W. M. (2020). Effect of benchmarking practices on financial performance of private hospitals in Kenya. a case of private Hospitals in Kisii County, Kenya. International Journal of Scientific and Management Research, 2(6), 38-56.

Clarke, D. (2007). The Private Health Sector: AnOperational Definition. Retrieved from Retrieved from l.9https://www.who.int on the 12/01/2023

Cronbach, L. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), pp 297-334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555

David, W. M., Rugami, J. M., & Makhamara, F. (2022). Benchmarking Practices and Service Delivery in the National Police Service in Mombasa County, Kenya . The International Journal of Business & Management, 10(10).35-39. https://doi.org/10.24940/theijbm/2022/v10/i10/BM2210-036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24940/theijbm/2022/v10/i10/BM2210-036

De Vries, J., & Huijsman, R. (2011). Supply chain management in health services: an overview. Supply chain management. An international journal 7(8), 47-49.

Desmond, T. (2022). Strategic supply chain capabilities and their influence on healthcare quality: A moderating model. Journal of Health Management, 24(1), 37-52.

Donabedian, A. (1980). The definition of quality and approaches to its assessment. Ann Arbor: . Michigan Health Administration Press.

Endeshaw, B. (2021). Healthcare service quality-measurement models: a review. Journal of Health Research,, 35(2), 106-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-07-2019-0152

https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-07-2019-0152

Feibert, D. C., Andersen, B., & Jacobsen, P. (2019 ). Benchmarking healthcare logistics processes-a comparative case study of Danish and US hospitals. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 30(1-2), 108-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2017.1299570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2017.1299570

Fetters, M. D. (2019). The mixed methods research workbook: Activities for designing, implementing, and publishing projects (Vol. 7). Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071909713 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071909713

Foster, S. T., & Gardner, J. W. ( 2022). Managing quality: Integrating the supply chain. John Wiley & Sons.

Gbadeyan, R. A., Boachie-Mensah, F. O., & Osemene, O. F. (2017). Effect of supply chain management on performance in selected private hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria. International Journal of Economic Behavior,, 7(1), 99-116.

Goodrick, D. (2020). Comparative case studies . Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications Limited., Vol 9.

Gopal, P. V., Subashini, R., & Velmurugan, G. (2019). Effect of supply chain management practices on organizational performance: an empirical approach. In Emerging Applications in Supply Chains for Sustainable Business Development . IGI Global, 6 142-159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5424-0.ch009

https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-5424-0.ch009

Grönroos, C. (1982). An applied service marketing theory. European Journal of Marketing, 16(7), 30-41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000004859

https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000004859

Guest, G., Namey, E., & Chen, M. (2020). A simple method to assess and report thematic saturation in qualitative research. PloS one, 15(5), 0232076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232076

Gunasekaran, A., Ram Kumar, P. N., & Sridharan, R. (2020). Strategic capabilities for managing risks in supply chains: current state and research futurities. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 17(2), 173-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-04-2019-0061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-04-2019-0061

Hong, J., Zhang, Y., & Ding, M. (2018). Sustainable supply chain management practices, supply chain dynamic capabilities, and enterprise performance. Journal of cleaner production, 17(2), 3508-3519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.093 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.093

Hossain, M. K., & Thakur, V. (2021). Benchmarking health-care supply chain by implementing Industry 4.0: A fuzzy AHP DEMATEL approach. . Benchmarking: An International Journal, , 28(6), 2041-2065. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-05-2020-0268 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-05-2020-0268

Hussain, A., Sial, M. S., Usman, S. M., Hwang, J., Jiang, Y., & Shafiq, A. (2019). What factors affect patient satisfaction in public sector hospitals: Evidence from an emerging economy. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(6), 994. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060994

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16060994

Hussain, M., Ajmal, M. M., Gunasekaran, A., & Khan, M. (2018). Exploration of social sustainability in healthcare supply chain. Journal of Cleaner Production, 20(3), 977-989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.157 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.157

Ikpesu, O. C., & Akpomi, M. E. (2020). Resource Dependency Model: Implications for Sustainable University Financing in South-South Geo-Political Zone. Rivers State University Journal of Education, 23(1&2), 98-108.

Ilinca, S., Di Giorgio, L., Salari, P., & Chuma, J. (2019). Socio-economic inequality and inequity in use of health care services in Kenya: evidence from the fourth Kenya household health expenditure and utilization survey. International journal for equity in health, 18(1), 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1106-z

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-019-1106-z

Innocent, R., & Kalaskar, P. B. (2016). The Adoption of e-Procurement and its impact on the Procurement Performance of Selected Telecommunication Companies in Rwanda. European Journal of Business and Management, 8(15), 125-133.

Jeong, Y., & Jung, M. J. (2016). Application and interpretation of hierarchical multiple regression. Orthopaedic Nursing, 35(5), 338-341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NOR.0000000000000279

https://doi.org/10.1097/NOR.0000000000000279

Jerving, S. (2021). De-facto privatization of health in Kenya limits access, says report. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.devex.com on 13/01/2023

Joudyian, N., Doshmangir, L., & Mahdavi, M. (2021). Public-private partnerships in primary health care: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res, 21, 4 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05979-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05979-9

Jung, D. H. ( 2022). Enhancing Competitive Capabilities of Healthcare SCM through the Blockchain: Big Data Business Model's Viewpoint. Sustainability, 14(8), 4815. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084815 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084815

Kähkönen, A. K., & Lintukangas, K. (2020). The role of supply management capabilities in enhancing supplier benchmarking outcomes. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management, 26(2), 100585.

Karimi, E., & Rafiee, M. (2014). Analyzing the impact of supply chain management practices on organizational performance through competitive priorities (case study: Iran pumps company). International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, 4(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARAFMS/v4-i1/503 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARAFMS/v4-i1/503

Kariuki, J. N. (2018). Influence of Supply Chain Ambidexterity on Performance of Accredited Hospitals in Kenya . Doctoral dissertation, JKUAT-COHRED.

Kaynak, H., Chakraborty, S., & Pagán, J. A. (2023). The Role of Quality Management in Healthcare: A Supply Chain Perspective. In The Palgrave Handbook of Supply Chain Management (pp. 1-22). Cham: . Springer International Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89822-9_24-1

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89822-9_24-1

Khan, A., & Siddiqui, D. A. (2018). Information Sharing and Strategic Supplier Partnership in Supply Chain Management: A Study on Pharmaceutical Companies of Pakistan. Asian Business Review, 8(3), 117-124. https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v8i3.162 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18034/abr.v8i3.162

Kim, J. H. (2019). Multicollinearity and misleading statistical results. . Korean journal of anesthesiology, 72(6), 558-569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.19087

https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.19087

Kim, M., & Chai, S. (2017). The impact of supplier innovativeness, information sharing and strategic sourcing on improving supply chain agility: Global supply chain perspective. International Journal of Production Economics, 18(7), 42-52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2017.02.007

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2017.02.007

Kivoto, P., Oloko, M., & Githii, D. (2022). Influence of supply chain management practices on service quality of healthcare providers in Kenya. Journal of Business and Economic Development, 7(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jbed.20220701.12

Krause, D. R., Handfield, R. B., & Tyler, B. B. ( 2007). The relationships between supplier development, commitment, social capital accumulation and performance improvement. Journal of Operations Management, 25(2), 528-545. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2006.05.007

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2006.05.007

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Sample size determination table. Educational and psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Krishna, k. (2019). Factors Influencing the Quality of Healthcare Services. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com on 12/01/2023

Kruk, M. E., Gage, A. D., Arsenault, C., Jordan, K., Leslie, H. H., Roder-DeWan, S., & Pate, M. (2018). High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a revolution. The Lancet global health, 6(11), e1196-e1252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30386-3

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30386-3

Kubai, J. N. (2019). The impact of devolution of health care systems in Kenya: a case study of Meru County health facilities . Master's thesis, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås.

Laing, A. W., & Lian, P. C. (2005). Inter‐organisational relationships in professional services: towards a typology of service relationships. Journal of services marketing, 19(2), 114-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040510591420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040510591420

Liu, Y., Luo, Y., Yang, Q., & Wang, X. (2020). Strategic learning capability, benchmarking and hospital service performance in Chinese healthcare institutions. International Journal of Production Economics,, 227, 107673.

Marshall, D., McCarthy, L., McGrath, P., & Claudy, M. (2015). Dependence, power, the adoption of sustainable supply chain practices and performance. In Academy of Management Proceedings. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management., 2015(1), 12790 . DOI: https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2015.12790abstract

https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2015.12790abstract

Melles, M., Albayrak, A., & Goossens, R. (2021). Innovating health care: key characteristics of human-centered design. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 33(Supplement_1), 37-44. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzaa127 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzaa127

Mosadeghrad, A. M. (2013). Healthcare service quality: towards a broad definition. . International journal of health care quality assurance.7(8)34-45.

Murerwa, B. M., & Kinyua, G. M. (2021). Analysis of The Role of Competitive Benchmarking on Service Delivery in Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies in Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, 9(7), 1-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0349.0907001

https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0349.0907001

Mutangili, M. M. (2019). The influence of procurement practices on healthcare delivery in private hospitals in Nairobi County . Master's thesis, Kenyatta University.

Mutiso, L., Iravo, M., & Kimathi, F. (2023). Resource dependency and performance of health facilities under devolution in Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(2), 442-452

Mwakalobo, A. B., & Maagi, A. M. (2023). Strategic capabilities and hospital supply chain performance in Tanzania. . East African Journal of Business and Economics,, 5(1), 71-85.

Mwambe, L., & Chuma, H. ( 2023). Enhancing healthcare quality through supplier benchmarking: The moderating role of strategic procurement competencies in Tanzanian private hospitals. East African Journal of Health and Social Sciences, 4(1), 77-92.

Naim, A., & Khan, M. F. (2021). Measuring the Psychological Behavior of Consumers for Medical Services. Zien Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2, 119-131.

Naranjo-Gil, D., & Ruiz-Munoz, D. (2014). The use of benchmarking to manage the healthcare supply chain: effects on purchasing cost and quality. Gaceta Sanitaria, 29(2), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2014.11.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2014.11.003

Njuguna, M., & Moronge, M. (2020). Resource dependency, supply chain practices and performance of hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 9(3), 123-129.

Okello, J. (2017). Supply Chain Management Practices and Performance Of Private Hospitals In Nairobi Kenya. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi.

Okoth, J. W. (2021). Strategic procurement practices and healthcare service delivery in public and private hospitals in Kenya . Doctoral dissertation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Olive, H. (2021). How Collaborative Customer Service Improves Customer Experience and Accelerates Agent Productivity. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.salesforce.com on 02/04/2023

Oribhabor, C. B., & Anyanwu, C. A. (2019). Research sampling and sample size determination: a practical application. Journal of Educational Research (Fudjer), 2(1), 47-57.

Ouko, S., & Juma, D. ( 2020). Effect of supplier evaluation on performance of the procurement function of private health institutions in Kisumu County, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7(2), 40-57. https://doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v7i2.1607 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v7i2.1607

Ovretveit, J. (2009). Does improving quality save money? A review of evidence of which improvements to quality reduce costs to health service providers. London. The Health Foundation.

Parasuraman, A., Berry, L. L., & Zeithaml, V. A. (1985). Perceived service quality as a customer‐based performance measure: An empirical examination of organizational barriers using an extended service quality model. Human resource management,, 30(3), 335-364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.3930300304

https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.3930300304

Pierfrancesco, M. (2021). Strategic Planning Must Factor in 5 Key Capabilities; Supply Chain Management Review. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.scmr.com on 3/09/2024

Reda, M., Kanga, D. B., Fatima, T., & Azouazi, M. (2020). Blockchain in health supply chain management: State of art challenges and opportunities. Procedia Computer Science, 175, 706-709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.07.104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.07.104

Salam, M. A., & Smadi, S. A. (2016). An empirical investigation on the impact of benchmarking on purchasing performance and business performance. International Journal of Procurement Management, 9(6), 701-717. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPM.2016.079981

https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPM.2016.079981

Shabbir, A., Malik, S. A., & Malik, S. A. ( 2016). Measuring patients' healthcare service quality perceptions, satisfaction, and loyalty in public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management., 64(6)23-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2014-0074

https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-06-2014-0074

Sharma, N., & Kulkarni, S. (2021). Leveraging strategic capabilities to enhance supplier benchmarking impact on healthcare performance. Journal of Supply Chain Strategy, 7(3), 62-78.

Srivastava, S., & Singh, R. K. (2021). Exploring integrated supply chain performance in healthcare: a service provider perspective. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 28(1), 106-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-03-2020-0125 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-03-2020-0125

Tshilombo, T. S. (2021). Challenges and Solutions of Shortage of Essential Drugs, Supplies and Equipment at the Emergency Department of CHUK: A mixed method Study. Doctoral dissertation, University of Rwanda.

Vainieri, M., Willmington, C., Belardi, P., & Murante, A. M. (2022). The contribution of benchmarking to quality improvement in healthcare. A systematic literature review. . BMC health services research, , 22(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07467-8

Van der Waldt, G. (2020). Constructing conceptual frameworks in social science research. TD: . The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa, 16(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v16i1.758 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/td.v16i1.758

Vasileiou, K., Barnett, J., Thorpe, S., & Young, T. (2018). Characterising and justifying sample size sufficiency in interview-based studies: systematic analysis of qualitative health research over a 15-year period. . BMC medical research methodology,, 18, 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0594-7

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-018-0594-7

Vaske, J. J. (2019). Survey research and analysis. Sagamore-Venture. 1807 North Federal Drive, Urbana, IL 61801.

Vrontis, D., El Chaarani, H., El Abiad, Z., El Nemar, S., & Yassine, H. (2022). Managerial innovative capabilities, competitive advantage and performance of healthcare sector during Covid-19 pandemic period. foresight, 24(3/4), 504-526. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-02-2021-0045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-02-2021-0045

WHO. (2018). The private sector,universal health coverage and primary health care. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.who.int on 12/01/2023

WHO. (2023). Quality of care. Retrieved from Retrieved from https://www.who.int on 12/01/2021

Wiedmer, R., & Whipple, J. M. (2022). Perceptions of resource scarcity in factor markets: The effect on managerial attention and collaboration. Journal of Business Logistics, 43(4), 421-447. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12295 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12295

Wiengarten, F., Humphreys, P., Cao, G., & McHugh, M. (2019). Exploring the important role of organizational capabilities in achieving supply chain integration. Supply Chain Management: . An International Journal, 24(2), 234-247.

Willmington, C., Belardi, P., Murante, A. M., & Vainieri, M. (2022). The contribution of benchmarking to quality improvement in healthcare. A systematic literature review. BMC health services research, 22(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07467-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07467-8

Xiao, C., Petkova, B., Molleman, E., & van der Vaart, T. (2019). "Technology uncertainty in supply chains and supplier involvement: the role of resource dependence", . Supply Chain Management, 24 (6), 697-709. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-10-2017-0334 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-10-2017-0334

Zehir, C., Findikli, M. A., & Çeltekligil, K. (2019). Resource dependence theory, firm performance and producers-suppliers relationships. The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences.

Zehir, S., & Zehir, C. (2023). Effects of Total Quality Management Practices on Financial and Operational Performance of Hospitals. . Sustainability, 15(21), 15430. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115430 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115430