Determinants of supply chain agility at Zambia medicines and medical supplies agency in Lusaka district.
Date
2024
Authors
Mwango, Chansa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has a responsibility to supply medicines and medical supplies to health facilities (Government of The Republic of Zambia, 2019). Although preliminary factors affecting Supply chain agility (SCA) have been reported, it is not well established how SCA is affected. The current business environment is characterized by constant change, turbulent and volatile markets, shorter product life cycle, and increased demand uncertainty. Therefore, attainment of quality and affordable healthcare is dependent on the ability of the healthcare organizations to promote resilience and mitigate operational and quality risks through support of dynamic capabilities that reduce negative
impact of supply chain instability and disruptions. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of Supply Chain Agility at Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) in Lusaka District. The researcher used a mixed method, descriptive approach. Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size of 80 respondents at 0.05 level of significance from the total population of 150 members of staff. From the distributed 80 questionnaires, only 67 responded giving 83% as response rate. Purposive sampling was used on senior management as key informants who were interviewed and random sampling for other staff. Stata, a statistical software was used to analyse descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic descriptive framework was used to analyse qualitative data. The findings showed the independent and dependant variable were positively correlated as they had a p value of less than 0.05. Overall, the new mandate for ZAMMSA is to procure medicine and medical
commodities though still facing administrative bottlenecks which is affecting SCA. The study revealed that supply chain agility is effective in managing an organization's supply chain in Zambia. The study deduced that, the sooner the procurement mandate is finalized and stabilizes the model using the four objectives will effectively and efficiently take-off. Therefore, the Ministry of Health/cabinet should ensure that ZAMMSA takes up its full mandate, by creating a robust delivery system to the health facilities and hubs, introduce a buffer supply chain management system to avoid expiry drugs. The agency should comprehensively and intentionally adopt the combination of market sensitivity, swift response, process integration and flexibility as a model for supply chain agility; and future studies should triangulate the SCA model of ZAMMSA from the perspective and experiences of the demand side and when or if possible from the supply end as well should be under taken.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science Operations, Projects and Supply Chain Management.