Deconstruction of a Multi-Embedded Supply Chain Coordination Problem Using Mixed Methods
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Date
2020
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods
Abstract
It is without doubt that there are many overviews of mixed methods research in supply chain management.
However, there is relatively little research and representation on the application of robust methodological approaches and
techniques that take into account the dynamic nature of a multi-embedded and specialised medicine supply chain
coordination (SCC) problem. In Uganda, the distribution of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) involves a multiembedded
supply chain that runs across the macro, market, and micro levels of stakeholders. The multi-embedded levels
have created a coordination challenge tied to stock-outs and unavailability of ACTs to the detriment of the patients. This
study aimed to: 1) demonstrate how a mixed methods approach facilitated a better understanding of a multi-embedded and
specialised supply chain coordination problem, and 2) reveal the major factors for coordinating a multi-embedded supply
chain that can improve the availability of ACTs in the general hospitals of Uganda. An exploratory sequential mixed method
approach was employed to disentangle the problem. In the first phase, focus group discussions were predominantly used to
collect qualitative data, the findings of which acted as the foundation for the quantitative survey questionnaire. A
Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to determine and validate the market and macro supply chain dimensions that
emerged from the survey results. The results showed that the most influential supply chain market environment dimensions
that affect the availability of ACTs include information sharing with external stakeholders and supply chain interdependence.
The results from the macro-environment showed that the socio-cultural, economic, technological, and legal dimensions
influence the availability of ACTs. The contribution of this paper advances the use of mixed methods in deconstructing a
complex embedded supply chain problem with implications for supply chain academics and practitioners and government
bodies.
Description
Keywords
Mixed methods, Coordination, Supply chain management, Malaria therapies
Citation
Nagitta, O. P., & Mkansi, M. (2020). Deconstruction of a Multi‑Embedded Supply Chain Coordination Problem Using Mixed Methods. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 18(1), pp27-43. DOI: : 10.34190/JBRM.18.1.006