TY - JOUR
T1 - Capacity for optimal performance of healthcare supply chain functions
T2 - competency, structural and resource gaps in the Northern Region of Ghana
AU - Atinga, Roger Ayimbillah
AU - Dery, Samuel
AU - Katongole, Simon Peter
AU - Aikins, Moses
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2020/10/16
Y1 - 2020/10/16
N2 - Purpose: The study drew on capacity framework around the individual, organisational, health system and wider context to explore gaps in health supply chain (HSC) workers capacity and competency to perform supply chain (SC) functions and the lessons for workforce development. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method study was conducted across the Northern Region of Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews with 34 key SC managers at the regional, district and facility levels. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered through the RedCap mobile app to 233 core HSC workers and non-core workers (clinicians with additional responsibilities in SC). Data were managed and analysed inductively and deductively for themes. Findings: Weak knowledge and competency in SC functions attributed to poor training exposure and organisational support for capacity building, undermined the capacity to perform basic SC functions, especially by the non-core category. The policy and regulatory environment of the HSC marketplace were described as fluid and with complexity of demands. Both worker categories, therefore, requested functional, technical, managerial and customer care competencies to anticipate and manage complexities. Structural characteristics of the health system giving narrow decision space to HSC workers cascaded the capacity for innovation and initiative and promoted frustrations among mid-level managers. Infrastructural deficits and shortfalls in operational resources scaled back the capacity to efficiently manage inventory and ensure that commodities reach clients in good quality. Originality/value: Finding suggest that capacity building of HSC workers, strengthening of health institutions structural and resource capacity, and leveraging on technology will enable optimal performance of HSC functions.
AB - Purpose: The study drew on capacity framework around the individual, organisational, health system and wider context to explore gaps in health supply chain (HSC) workers capacity and competency to perform supply chain (SC) functions and the lessons for workforce development. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method study was conducted across the Northern Region of Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth interviews with 34 key SC managers at the regional, district and facility levels. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered through the RedCap mobile app to 233 core HSC workers and non-core workers (clinicians with additional responsibilities in SC). Data were managed and analysed inductively and deductively for themes. Findings: Weak knowledge and competency in SC functions attributed to poor training exposure and organisational support for capacity building, undermined the capacity to perform basic SC functions, especially by the non-core category. The policy and regulatory environment of the HSC marketplace were described as fluid and with complexity of demands. Both worker categories, therefore, requested functional, technical, managerial and customer care competencies to anticipate and manage complexities. Structural characteristics of the health system giving narrow decision space to HSC workers cascaded the capacity for innovation and initiative and promoted frustrations among mid-level managers. Infrastructural deficits and shortfalls in operational resources scaled back the capacity to efficiently manage inventory and ensure that commodities reach clients in good quality. Originality/value: Finding suggest that capacity building of HSC workers, strengthening of health institutions structural and resource capacity, and leveraging on technology will enable optimal performance of HSC functions.
KW - Capacity
KW - Competency
KW - Ghana
KW - Resources
KW - Structural
KW - Supply chain worker
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092197120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/JHOM-09-2019-0283
DO - 10.1108/JHOM-09-2019-0283
M3 - Article
C2 - 33029993
AN - SCOPUS:85092197120
SN - 1477-7266
VL - 34
SP - 899
EP - 914
JO - Journal of Health Organization and Management
JF - Journal of Health Organization and Management
IS - 8
ER -