Supply network strategies the case of health supplies

A supply network strategy conceptual framework and process is proposed, providing examples from the health supplies sector to support the potential application of the ideas.

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in the 1990s in holistic approaches to managing supply networks and chains. However, little work to date has been provided that informs players in supply networks how they should formulate and implement strategies that support the emerging concepts. This paper proposes a supply network strategy conceptual framework and process, providing examples from the health supplies sector to support the potential application of the ideas. The work is being implemented in an in-depth case study, which is providing empirical support for the need for overarching supply networks strategies with a portfolio of differentiated strategies to serve end-customer segments.