Designing and Validating a Maturity Model for The Resilience of The Supply Chains in The Healthcare Industry

Abstract

This thesis examines the necessity for systematic methodologies to evaluate and improve resilience in hospital supply chains, with specific emphasis on organisational responses to risk and disruption. Hospitals function in unpredictable contexts, where supply chain disruptions can directly jeopardise patient care. Nevertheless, numerous individuals lack formal instruments to assess and enhance their resilience and adaptability to disturbances. This research introduces a Resilience Maturity Model tailored for hospital supply chains to address this deficiency. The model is constructed from a synthesis of literature review and empirical data obtained through semi-structured interviews with supply chain experts. It encompasses seven fundamental components essential to resilience: procurement planning, supplier engagement, inventory and cold chain management, information technology systems, human resources, governance, and crisis response. Each dimension is categorised into five maturity levels, spanning from basic and reactive methods to fully integrated, proactive systems. The levels were established through thematic analysis and grounded theory, illustrating how hospitals mitigate risk, adjust to uncertainty, and collaborate among teams and suppliers. The model evaluates the present level of resilience and functions as a strategic instrument for ongoing enhancement. It allows hospital administrators to assess their risk profile, pinpoint essential vulnerabilities, and establish specific measures to advance towards enhanced resilience maturity.