Objective and main results

This study investigates the role of big data analytics (BDA) capability in developing hospital supply chain integration (SCI) and operational flexibility.

Main findings:

• BDA capability is positively related to inter-functional integration, hospital-patient integration, and hospital-supplier integration.  
  • Inter-functional integration refers to interaction, information sharing, and collaboration across departments or functions within a hospital.
  • Hospital-patient integration and hospital-supplier integration refer to strategic information sharing and collaboration between a hospital and its patients and suppliers.
• Hospital-patient integration and hospital-supplier integration are positively associated with operational flexibility.
• Inter-functional integration positively affects hospital-patient integration and hospital-supplier integration.
• Hospital-patient integration and hospital-supplier integration fully mediate the relationship between inter-functional integration and operational flexibility. This means that inter-functional integration affects operational flexibility indirectly, through hospital-patient integration and hospital-supplier integration.

Summary of practical implications

The study helps practitioners gain an increased understanding of how to exploit BDA to enhance hospital supply chain integration and increase operational flexibility.

Practitioners should use advanced analytics techniques to generate critical insights from processing and analysing vast amounts of data (i.e., volume, varieties, velocity, veracity, and value), thereby facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Managers should consider investing in vertical information systems (such as adopting clinical and operational information systems) and creating lateral relations (such as building cross-functional teams and strategic collaboration with patients and suppliers). The development of such information systems enables hospitals to increase their capacity to process information, thereby improving flexibility and agility, especially when they execute the complex tasks that involve uncertainty and interdependence.

Managers should take a holistic view in managing an integrated hospital supply chain. Healthcare organizations should apply big data analytics to develop cross-functional coordination across functions and close collaboration with patients and suppliers. External integration with patients and suppliers is needed to collect and analyse accurate real-time demand and supply data essential for strengthening information processing capabilities that allow greater flexibility in healthcare delivery.

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