Improving Warehousing and Logistics for a Healthcare SME

Improving
warehousing and
logistics for a
healthcare SME

Table of Contents
Research Topic: Warehouse management and logistics for healthcare sector for small and
medium enterprises. An investigation on Small or Medium Enterprises........................................3
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Background to the study.............................................................................................................3
Research aim and objectives.......................................................................................................3
Rationale for selection of topic...................................................................................................4
Research questions......................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................5
To review about the concept of warehouse management and logistic within in health care
sector for a small and medium sized enterprise..........................................................................5
To determine about the impact of effective supply chain management on the cost reduction
and operational efficiency of the small and medium enterprise.................................................8
To identify the main challenges faced by a SME in inventory management along with making
vital recommendations to overcome these issues and challenges.............................................10
Chapter 3: Research methodology.................................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Findings and discussion...............................................................................................15
Findings.....................................................................................................................................15
Discussion.................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation.................................................................................26
Chapter 6: Personal reflection........................................................................................................28
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................30

Research Topic: Warehouse management and logistics for healthcare sector for
small and medium enterprises. An investigation on Small or Medium
Enterprises
Chapter 1: Introduction
Background to the study
`Warehouse management is defined as the control of day to day operations related to
warehouse, like shipping, receiving and picking of goods. In healthcare, managing the supply
chain is very complex process. The supply chain management in healthcare involves acquiring
resources, managing supplies as well as delivering products and services to providers of health
care and patients. In order to complete the process, information regarding medical products and
services and physical goods usually go through numerous independent stakeholders. However,
by promoting efficiency in supply chain, hospitals can develop substantial opportunities for cost
reduction across the organisation. In small and medium enterprises, warehouse management and
logistics and supply chain management plays crucial role. This dissertation intent to analyse
about the concept of warehouse management and logistic within in health care sector along with
impact of effective supply chain management on the cost reduction of a firm.
Research aim and objectives
The main aim of leading out current investigation, “To analyse about the concept of
warehouse management and logistic within in health care sector along with impact of effective
supply chain management on the cost reduction of a firm. A research Project on Small and
Medium enterprises.
Research Objectives
 To review about the concept of warehouse management and logistic within in health care
sector for a small and medium sized enterprise.
 To determine about the impact of effective supply chain management on the cost
reduction and operational efficiency of the Small and Medium enterprises.

 To identify the main challenges faced by a SME in inventory management along with
making vital recommendations to overcome these issues and challenges.
Rationale for selection of topic
This study is based on the title “Warehouse management and logistics for healthcare sector
for small and medium enterprises” and aims analyse the concept of warehouse management and
logistic within in health care sector with impact of effective supply chain management on the
cost reduction of a firm. The main reason behind selecting this topic to study is that it assistant at
mining the concept of supply chain management, warehouse management and logistics. Apart
from this, it also helps in gaining an understanding of impact of effective supply chain
management in operational efficiency and cost reduction of small and medium enterprises. It
helps in gaining deep insight on the topic along with determining the main challenges that are
faced by small and medium business organisations in inventory management. This study will
highly contribute in determining the ways to address the challenges in an effective way and
providing high quality services within Health Care sector.
Research questions
 What is meant by the concept of warehouse management and logistic within in health
care sector for a small and medium sized enterprise?
 What possible impact could be lead out by effective supply chain management on the
cost reduction and operational efficiency of the Small and Medium enterprises?
 What are the possible challenges faced by a SME in inventory management along with
making vital recommendations to overcome these issues and challenges?
Structure of Report
A description about the intended structure for current research project is provided below:
Chapter 1: Introduction – It would make the first section of current research project
which would tend to facilitate information about the background of study along with the set aim
and objectives. Further, rationale and significance for selection of topic is also provided and
facilitated by the first chapter of introduction.
Chapter 2: Literature review- this section of a research project comprises of analysis and
review of secondary sources of information that is vital and important to set out a base for study.
With respect to current research project use of online articles and journals would be made an
analysis of which would be provided under the head of literature review.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology- this section tends to provide information about the
research method and approaches that would be expected to be used by a researcher to perform
and carry out an investigation in a more effective and better manner. The current research work
is based on quantitative form of research method where data would be collected with the help of
both primary and secondary sources of data collection.
Chapter 4: Findings and discussion- this section would include a discussion and
analysis of the information collected through making use of research tool like questionnaire.
With respect to current investigation, analysis of collected facts would be made with the help of
pie charts and frequency table which facilitates a better and more systematic analysis and
discussion of data collected with the help of questionnaire.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation- this forms out to a vital part of a research
project which consist of overall conclusion and summarisation of key facts and results which are
observed and undertaken during an investigation. Further, valid recommendation and suggestions
also formed a part of this section which are based on the findings of research undertaken and
facilitates better ways to have improvement in supply chain management.
Chapter 6: Personal reflection- this forms out to be the last part of a research project that
is based on self-layering process and consists of an analysis about the facts and understanding
that is undertaken by a researcher during course of performing an investigation.
Chapter 2: Literature review
To review about the concept of warehouse management and logistic within in health care sector
for a small and medium sized enterprise.
As per the view point of Göleç and Karadeniz, 2020 warehouse management is the
demonstration of getting sorted out and controlling everything inside distribution centre and
ensuring everything runs in the most ideal manner conceivable. In addition to this, it has been
evaluated that warehouse management concept mainly include aspects that are mainly related to
arranging the warehouse and its inventory, proper maintenance of
equipment, Picking, packing and shipping orders, Managing new stock
coming into the facility, tracking and improving overall warehouse
performance and more. Furthermore, according to the analysis it has been
determined that, warehouse management is the focal point of assembling

and store network activities since they hold the sum of the material utilized
or delivered in those cycles, from crude materials to completed products.
As per the view point of Alotaibi, Mehmood and Katib, 2020, the reason for a
warehouse management is to help guarantee that products and materials
travel through distribution centers in the most proficient and financially
savvy way. In addition to this, it has been identified that a warehouse
management handles numerous capacities that empower these
developments, including stock following, picking, getting and put away.
Furthermore, according to the analysis it has been determined that
warehouse management main purpose is to assist clients with dealing with
the satisfaction, transporting and accepting undertakings in the stockroom or
dispersion focus, for example, picking products from racks for shipment or
taking care of got merchandise. It is most important part in stock is to follow
the stock information that roll in from scanner tag peruses and radio
recurrence recognizable proof (RFID) labels and update the stock
administration module in the ERP framework to guarantee it has the most
recent data.
As per the opinions presented by Bhuvana and Arun, 2020, an incorporation
connect synchronizes the stock information that is put away in the ERP
framework and the Warehouse management. Thus, according to the analysis
it has been determined that warehouse management most important role
that assures the guarantee and a smooth and cost-effective handling of all
distribution center tasks. Furthermore, it has been determined that
warehouse management and logistic plays essential role which is related to
investigate plainly, dispassionately and adequately moving inventories in distribution centers,
regarding the accompanying advances: (a) receipt, (b) stockpiling and (c) campaign. Each and
every activity significantly decreases losses as well as organisational failures. The significance of
assessing the activity of warehouse management is identified with the progression of materials
all through the production network. In addition to this, it has been determined that warehouse
management and logistic plays essential as well as strategic role. Furthermore, they undertake

role related to ceaseless development, for administration utilization, community oriented
relationship with providers and coordination angles with transportation modes.
According to the analysis it has been identified the concept of warehouse management and
logistic in healthcare sector for small and medium scale enterprises is associated to have proper
control and monitoring of the regulation of flow of medical records and equipments from
manufacturer to patient. Healthcare supply chain management which involves obtaining
resources effectively, managing supplies and efficiently delivers goods and services to patients
as well as providers. In addition to this it has been identified in terms of logistic management is
that it is the most important aspect of supply chain management process that involves plan,
implementation and control of goods, efficient and effective flow of goods services and related
information (YARDAN, 2020). With the help of having strong warehouse and logistics
management organisation dealing in healthcare sector can assure meeting of customers or patient
requirement in most effective manner. It is essential for entities engaged in healthcare sector to
ensure that goods and materials are available in time effective manner. Thus it is essential for
them to have an efficient warehouse and logistics management system.
As per the opinion of Getel, and Arrive, 2020, It has been identified that logistic
management play a central role in healthcare sector as it allows them to effectively reduce
picking error while improving productivity. With the help of this entity engage in this sector can
conduct warehouse management activities in more effective manner. It has been identified that
due to the growing complexities is in healthcare sector by the passage of time it is essential for
entities engaged in healthcare sector to improve patient outcomes. For this, logistic and
warehouse management effectively allow entity to have efficient plan, organise and co-ordinate
the movement of goods from time to time. With the help of efficient logistic and warehouse
management organisation can develop and strong network of interconnected business and
stakeholders through which they can assure accomplishment of goals can be undertaken in
effective manner. With the help of undertaking use of efficient logistic and warehouse
management organisation can effectively plan and co-ordinate the complex transportation of
goods and can assure time effective, safely and reliable logistic management.

To determine about the impact of effective supply chain management on the cost reduction and
operational efficiency of the small and medium enterprise
As per the view point of Khorasani, Cross and Maghazei, 2020 supply chain management
have significant effect upon manufacturing in multiple number of ways from both a day by day
operational, and an essential point of view. In addition to this, it has been determined that it is a
significant part of assembling, for industry administrators and business visionaries the same.
Furthermore, it has been identified that effective supply chain management provide number of
benefits which is associated to the accessibility of information sources required for creation
cycles, controlling costs and enhancing profitability of organization manufactured items.
Furthermore, it has been underlined that in today’s modern business world there is significant
increase in complexity within supply chain management. Thus, it is essential or organizations
specially dealing in healthcare sector to have strong supply chain network.
As said by Werner-Lewandowska, 2020, it has been identified that effective supply chain
management gives perceivability from start to finish for observing the progression of data,
administrations and products from obtainment to assembling and conveyance to the end buyer.
Furthermore, according to the analysis it has been underlined that there are a few different ways
through which effective supply chain management have significant capability to reduce overhead
cost through which organization can conduct business in cost effective operations (Ketchen Jr
and Craighead, 2020). In addition to this, it has been underlined that with the help of effective
supply chain management organization can make significant improvement in inventory
management system through which company can enhance its overall profitability. Furthermore,
it has been identified that with the help of effective supply chain management organization
especially in health care sector can make their supply chain management more receptive to client
necessities and fortifies associations with your sellers and merchants. In addition to this, it has
been determined that organizations with more prominent command over their suppliers as well
as direct suppliers can significantly measures number of advantages. Furthermore, with the help
of executing standard least quality models empowers direct providers to discover and work with
optional providers that meet these measures. Moreover, measure rules can help organization
suppliers to live up to the desires for quality execution.
According to Ndubisi, Zhai and Lai, 2020, An effective administration working framework
will screen key execution pointers (KPI, for example, on-time conveyance, scrap rates and