Optimizing supply chain innovations and sustainable health service performance of tertiary hospitals in Ghana

Abstract

Limited empirical studies address what enables supply chain innovations and their impact on sustainable health outcomes in Ghana's tertiary hospitals. To address this gap, this research explores factors leading to supply chain innovations and their effect on sustainable health service performance using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data from 250 responses were analysed with Smart PLS, while qualitative insights were gathered from 15 supply chain experts through thematic analysis. Grounded in dialectical pluralism, the study used the TOE framework, supplemented by the Innovation Diffusion, Stakeholder, and Institutional theories. The measurement model proved valid and reliable with Cronbach’s alpha and factor loadings of over 0.7. Findings showed that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain innovation adoption was undervalued, and staff lacked training. Key findings indicated that technological factors were not significant in predicting e-supply chain adoption, but organizational and environmental factors were significant. Furthermore, e-supply chain adoption did not improve environmental or social sustainability but did contribute to economic sustainability. The two moderators, supply chain integration and process innovation, influenced the relationship between esupply chain adoption and economic sustainability, but facilitating conditions were found not to be a moderating variable between e-supply chain adoption and sustainable health service performance. Qualitative themes were found to support some of the quantitative findings. A framework was developed to guide e-supply chain implementation to enhance sustainable health performance, emphasizing technology infrastructure and policy. Future research should compare Ghanaian hospitals with others and consider longitudinal studies using UTAUT2 to explore factors affecting technology adoption and supply chain innovation.