Integration of a Balanced Scorecard, DEMATEL, and ANP for Measuring the Performance of a Sustainable Healthcare Supply Chain

Advancing system of systems engineering using intangible value logic measurements from intellectual capital thinking approach

This study explores the integration of intangible value logic measurements derived from the Intellectual Capital Thinking (IC T ) approach to advance System of Systems Engineering (SoSE). Focusing on demand-side electricity management, the research illuminates the challenges and opportunities in capturing intangible value creation within engineering systems. By delving into human behaviour-driven demand intricacies and recognising intangible resources among stakeholders, the study unveils the potential for innovation in demand management strategies. Through the analysis of three interacting value logics-shop, chain, and network-the research elucidates their impact on system performance. Addressing the practical application gap, the study introduces ICT as a strategic lens to enhance performance through non-monetary values. Qualitative and quantitative exploration showcases IC T 's ability to propel system dynamics, offering crucial insights for sustainable smart grid systems. By emphasising the significance of understanding intangible measures in engineering systems, this research contributes to innovation and performance improvement in SoSE.

Towards Green and Sustainable Healthcare: A Literature Review and Research Agenda for Green Leadership in the Healthcare Sector

The health sector is one of the keys to sustainable development. Although it is directly related to only one Sustainable Development Goal (Goal 3, "Ensuring a healthy life and promoting well-being at all ages"), the sector itself, which aims to protect health, is paradoxically at the same time the main emitter of environmental pollutants that have a negative impact on health itself. Therefore, sustainability has become a key priority for health sector organizations, and leadership in this area is essential at all levels. Scientific research plays a particular role here, helping to more clearly define the links between environmental sustainability and the health effects of a polluted environment and climate change as well as indicating the direction of actions needed and disseminating good practices that can help accelerate the adoption of efforts towards climate neutrality and sustainable development of health sector organizations. The aim of this article is to present the current state of the art and future research scenarios in the field of green and sustainable healthcare through a literature review by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to perform a bibliometric analysis of papers published in 2012-2022. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database is used for this purpose. A total of 144 papers are included for analysis, categorized based on eight fields: author(s), title, year of publication, country, journal, scientific category, and number of citations. Based on the results, themes for future research on green leadership in the healthcare sector are identified and recommended.

Assessing Digital Transformation of Cost Accounting Tools in Healthcare

The expansion of digital technologies has significantly changed most economic activities and professions. Digital technologies penetrated managerial accounting and have a vast potential to transform this profession. Implementing emerging digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, can trigger a crucial leap forward, leading to a paradigm-shifting in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper's main objective is to investigate the perception of Romanian accountants on implementing digital technologies in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper implies a study based on a questionnaire among Romanian accountants who use various digital technologies implemented in traditional and innovative cost accounting tools. Based on structural equation modeling, the results emphasize the prevalence of innovative tools over traditional cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation, digital technologies assuming the most complex and time-consuming tasks. Moreover, the influence of cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation on healthcare organizations' performance is much more robust in the case of innovative tools than in the case of traditional cost accounting tools. The proposed model provides managers in healthcare organizations with information on the most effective methods in the context of digital transformation.

An Empirical Framework for Assessing the Balanced Scorecard Impact on Sustainable Development in Healthcare Performance Measurement

Performance appraisal has become an essential tool for healthcare managers due to the frequent and rapid changes in the healthcare sector. Sustainable performance management implies increasing organizations' efficiency and effectiveness while considering all vectors of sustainability. This study examines the impact of digital transformation, accounting information systems, and strategic human resource management improvements on organizational performance and sustainable development. The paper uses the balanced scorecard (BSC) for organizational performance assessment. The paper proposes a theoretical model that integrates the traditional and digital information systems and human resources engagement with the BSC dimensions for sustainable organizational development. The theoretical model is tested in an empirical study involving a questionnaire-based survey of 387 employees with management experience in the healthcare sector. Based on structural equation modeling, the research results showed that the efficiency and effectiveness of strategic human resources management and the accounting information system significantly positively affect the BSC dimensions. Furthermore, the use of BSC in measuring organizational performance has significant effects on sustainable development, with the internal process dimension being the most influential.

Using network data envelopment analysis to assess the sustainability and resilience of healthcare supply chains in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The widespread outbreak of a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) strain has reminded the world of the destructive effects of pandemic and epidemic diseases. Pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19 are considered a type of risk to supply chains (SCs) affecting SC performance. Healthcare SC performance can be assessed using advanced Management Science (MS) and Operations Research (OR) approaches to improve the efficiency of existing healthcare systems when confronted by pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19 and Influenza. This paper intends to develop a novel network range directional measure (RDM) approach for evaluating the sustainability and resilience of healthcare SCs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. First, we propose a non-radial network RDM method in the presence of negative data. Then, the model is extended to deal with the different types of data such as ratio, integer, undesirable, and zero in efficiency measurement of sustainable and resilient healthcare SCs. To mitigate conditions of uncertainty in performance evaluation results, we use chance-constrained programming (CCP) for the developed model. The proposed approach suggests how to improve the efficiency of healthcare SCs. We present a case study, along with managerial implications, demonstrating the applicability and usefulness of the proposed model. The results show how well our proposed model can assess the sustainability and resilience of healthcare supply chains in the presence of dissimilar types of data and how, under different conditions, the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) changes.

Evaluating interaction between internal hospital supply chain performance indicators: a rough-DEMATEL-based approach

Purpose

Previous studies on hospital supply chain performance have attempted to measure the performance of the hospital supply chain either by the measurement of performance indicators or the performance of specific activities. This paper attempts to measure the internal hospital supply chain's performance indicators to find their interdependencies to understand the relationship among them and identify the key performance indicators for each of those aspects of the logistics process toward improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a systematic assessment and analysis method under vagueness is proposed to assess, analyze and measure the internal health care performance aspects (HCPA). The proposed method combines the group Decision-Making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and rough set theory.

Findings

The study results indicate that the most critical aspects of hospital supply chain performance are completeness of treatment, clinical care process time and no delay in treatment.

Originality/value

The causal relationship from rough-DEMATEL can advise management officials that to improve the completeness of treatment toward patient safety, clinical care process time should be addressed initially and with it, patient safety aspects such as free from error, clinical care productivity, etc. should be improved as well. Improvement of these aspects will improve the other aspects they are related to.

Measuring the Supply Chain Performance of the Floricultural Sector Using the SCOR Model and a Multicriteria Decision-Making Method

This study aims to highlight the usefulness of studying the performance of supply chains (SC) at the sectoral level in greater detail through the combination of a disaggregated supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model, with a multicriteria decision-making approach, specifically using an AHP, to adjust the analysis to the particularities of the sector under study by stakeholders’ judgements. The methodology was applied to the Ecuadorian flower industry, and the data for the analysis was from a survey of a group of companies that represent this sector. In addition, a focus group of SC experts weighted the model constructs as part of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and then the performance level for each construct was determined. According to the results methodologies, this model allows the classification of companies by their performance, as well as the performance of the aggregate sector. The processes that Ecuadorian flower companies need to improve on are planning, procurement, and manufacturing. The study’s main contribution is developing a general framework for measuring the overall performance of SCs and how the results are obtained. This tool could help managers, consultants, industries, and governments to assess the performance of SCs, as well as improving SC management in order to increase the sector’s competitiveness in the international market.

Classifying healthcare warehouses according to their performance. A Cluster Analysis-based approach

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to propose an approach to comparatively analyze the performance of drugs and consumable products warehouses belonging to different healthcare institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A Cluster Analysis is completed in order to classify warehouses and identify common patterns based on similar organizational characteristics. The variables taken into account are associated with inventory levels, the number of SKUs, and incoming and outgoing flows.

Findings

The outcomes of the empirical analysis are confirmed by additional indicators reflecting the demand level and the associated logistics flows faced by the warehouses at issue. Also, the warehouses belonging to the same cluster show similar behaviors for all the indicators considered, meaning that the performed Cluster Analysis can be considered as coherent.

Research limitations/implications

The study proposes an approach aimed at grouping healthcare warehouses based on relevant logistics aspects. Thus, it can foster the application of statistical analysis in the healthcare Supply Chain Management. The present work is associated with only one regional healthcare system.

Practical implications

The approach might support healthcare agencies in comparing the performance of their warehouses more accurately. Consequently, it could facilitate comprehensive investigations of the managerial similarities and differences that could be a first step toward warehouse aggregation in homogeneous logistics units.

Originality/value

This analysis puts forward an approach based on a consolidated statistical tool, to assess the logistics performances in a set of warehouses and, in turn to deepen the related understanding as well as the factors determining them.

Drivers of sustainable healthcare supply chain performance: multi-criteria decision-making approach under grey environment

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the drivers of sustainable healthcare supply chain (SHCSC) performance measurement through extensive literature review and experts' opinions. The drivers are then scrutinized and their priority vector is calculated to provide quality and cost-effective healthcare supply chain (HCSC) services.

Design/methodology/approach

The drivers of the SHCSC performance measurement are validated using the grey-Delphi technique. After validating the drivers, they are prioritized using the grey-analytic hierarchy process (G-AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making tool.

Findings

The findings of the study highlight the prioritized drivers based on the preferences given by the experts. The findings of the study highlight the most prioritized drivers of healthcare (HC) by-product management system, coordinating and facilitating green suppliers in the HCSC and green packaging of pharmaceutical as well as other essential items.

Practical implications

The HCSC managers should coordinate with all the stakeholders across the supply chain and involve them in the decision-making process to make products and services greener and become complicit in complying with the sustainable policy guidelines. The study highlights the strategic policy and managerial implications for implementing sustainability in the HCSC.

Originality/value

The validation and prioritization of the drivers of SHCSC in developing nations' contexts is the key contribution of the study. Grey-AHP enables a practical approach towards enhancing the sustainability of the HCSC and opening the doors for generalizing the study for future research works.

COVID ‐19 critical success factors in Indian healthcare industry—A DEMATEL approach

The prosed study aims to provide COVID‐19 critical success factors (CSF) associated with pandemic circumstances in the Indian healthcare industry (HCI). The CSF was identified via expert team inputs and a detailed literature review. The Decision‐Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method is used to determine the causal relationship between identified CSF. The methodology was supported by the case study of the Indian HCI. A total of 15 CSF in the Indian HCI during COVID‐19 are identified and prioritized using the DEMATEL method. The findings indicate that the high‐quality personal protective equipment (PPEs; LC8) and testing laboratories/facilities, centres, and kits (LC15) are the significant cause, and appropriate healthcare laws (LC13) are the least effect group. The study shows that policy and decision‐makers need to emphasize on LC8 and LC15 CSF in the Indian HCI and act accordingly to win the battle against post‐COVID‐19 circumstance. The policy/decision‐makers and healthcare administrations can identify the CSF and focus on that particular CSF. The identified CSF will help policy and decision‐makers swiftly build up the HCI to cope with the future pandemic.

Assessment and Selection of Technologies for the Sustainable Development of an R&D Center

The central role of R&D centers in the advancement of technology within industrial enterprises is undeniable and clearly affects their strategies, their competitiveness and their business sustainability. R&D centers assume responsibility for technology recognition, collection, acquisition, development and transition. Among their activities, the efficient choice of emerging technologies in the Technology Management Process is becoming a real challenge. In such heterogeneous scenarios, Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models are commonly proposed as an appropriate decision-making approach. Multiple research works address the selection of particular technologies in industrial applications, but very few references can be found related to research institutions, and R&D centers in particular. Therefore, a decision-making model is provided in this study following the MIVES multi criteria method for the assessment of one or more technologies. The model is then applied to two case studies related to the selection process of new technologies at a Spanish R&D Center specialized in manufacturing.

Evaluation of hospital disaster preparedness by a multi-criteria decision making approach: The case of Turkish hospitals

Considering the unexpected emergence of natural and man-made disasters over the world and Turkey, the importance of preparedness of hospitals, which are the first reference points for people to get healthcare services, becomes clear. Determining the level of disaster preparedness of hospitals is an important and necessary issue. This is because identifying hospitals with low level of preparedness is crucial for disaster preparedness planning. In this study, a hybrid fuzzy decision making model was proposed to evaluate the disaster preparedness of hospitals. This model was developed using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)-fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL)-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solutions (TOPSIS) techniques and aimed to determine a ranking for hospital disaster preparedness. FAHP is used to determine weights of six main criteria (including hospital buildings, equipment, communication, transportation, personnel, flexibility) and a total of thirty-six sub-criteria regarding disaster preparedness. At the same time, FDEMATEL is applied to uncover the interdependence between criteria and sub-criteria. Finally, TOPSIS is used to obtain ranking of hospitals. To provide inputs for TOPSIS implementation, some key performance indicators are established and related data is gathered by the aid of experts from the assessed hospitals. A case study considering 4 hospitals from the Turkish healthcare sector was used to demonstrate the proposed approach. The results evidenced that Personnel is the most important factor (global weight = 0.280) when evaluating the hospital preparedness while Flexibility has the greatest prominence (c + r = 23.09).

Measuring Sustainability Performance with Multi Criteria Model: A Case Study

The proposal of this research is the development of a hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model of sustainability performance. The model is applied to a Brazilian oil and gas company and is constructed from the MCDA associated with statistical analysis. The MCDA technique is a preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE), with analysis of 20 indicators of the dimensions of sustainability. In the statistical analysis, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) are used. The results of PROMETHEE showed that the company’s best sustainability performance was in 2011 and 2010. The worst sustainability performance was in 2015 and 2016. The application of the PCA technique aims to eliminate the existing multicollinearity and capture the direction of variability of the indicators. The first PC with 53.2%, the second PC with 25.6%. An estimate based on the MLR equation was performed. The limitation of the paper is with data from the company’s sustainability reports as well as the choice and quantity of indicators. The analysis of the sustainability performance of the company through multi-criteria models is not new but their combination with mathematical models, comparing the sustainability reports per year, brings more complete results on the sustainability performance of the company.