Service supply chain coordination factors: the case of Saudi Arabian hospitals

Service supply chain combines the management of information, processes, capacity, service performance and funds from the earliest supplier to the ultimate customer. This study explores the need for supply chain coordination required to deliver services for healthcare industry. Building on prior research, this study looks quantitatively at the interplay of service supply chain coordination factors (i.e., accessibility, affordability and awareness) and their influence on hospital performance. Hence, empirical research in an emerging economy such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was selected to test the predictive relationship between service supply chain coordination factors and performance. The findings from this study show that from the three predictive relationships tested, performance of hospitals was challenged by the increasing lack of service awareness built in the industry.