Business and Management: NHS Supply Chain Issues Investigation Report

This report provides an in-depth investigation into the supply chain issues encountered by managers within the National Health Service (NHS). It begins by defining the supply chain and its significance, particularly within the context of the NHS, emphasizing the complexities involved in providing healthcare and food products. The report delves into the theoretical background, focusing on inventory management, highlighting challenges such as demand prediction, storage limitations, and the importance of strategies like 'Just in Time'. It explores the complexities of supplier management, including strategies for selecting, maintaining relationships with, and evaluating suppliers. The report also examines the critical role of quality control in maintaining patient safety and satisfaction, discussing tools and strategies like Total Quality Management. The aim is to identify ways to solve supply chain issues, supported by research questions that explore inventory management, supplier strategies, and the benefits of quality and safety tools. The report's justification emphasizes the importance of research in improving competitiveness and customer satisfaction within the NHS supply chain.

Business and Management
NHS Supply Chain

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC: An Investigation into finding issues which supply chain managers of NHS are facing..................3
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
Theoretical Background and Research Focus..............................................................................................4
Ways, problems and importance of managing inventory.........................................................................4
Strategies and effectiveness of managing suppliers.................................................................................5
Tools of maintaining safety and quality for taking competitive advantages............................................6
Aim..........................................................................................................................................................6
Objectives................................................................................................................................................6
Research questions..................................................................................................................................7
Justification and Contextualization..............................................................................................................7
Importance of research............................................................................................................................7
Reason of importance..............................................................................................................................7
Response to requirements........................................................................................................................8
Research Methodology............................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................12

TOPIC: An Investigation into finding issues which supply chain managers of NHS are facing.
INTRODUCTION
Supply chain can be defined as a system of companies, information as well as people
activities which are involved in the process of supplying goods and services of companies to end
users or customers (Christopher, 2016). Supplying goods to customers is not an easy task as
suppliers have to manage inventory and quality and it is found that during supplying process,
suppliers find problems related to marinating inventory and quality. Supply chain management
process involves all activities which transform raw materials into final goods. This present study
is based on NHS. In the context of NHS it is found that supply chain is becoming complex as it
supports National Health Service in England by providing end to end supply chain solutions. So,
it is important for this to identify effective strategies for solving all problems which NHS and in
providing health care and food products.
This present study will show different views of authors on managing supply chain and
out of them it can become easier for researcher and organizations to select the best one and
maintaining quality. Further, it will also discuss several problems which are being faced by
suppliers and identifying the main root cause for allowing them to select better ways. Lastly it
will discuss problems related to inventory management and quality of health care as well as food
products management as how all these problems are affecting customers or vulnerable people
experience and brand of company. Research methodology and ethics also play an important role
in gathering and analyzing information which will also being discussed in this study.

Theoretical Background and Research Focus
Ways, problems and importance of managing inventory
Inventory management is the main key area of supply chain management which refers a
procedure of ordering, storing as well as using company’s products or inventory. This process is
complex and sometimes suppliers and NHS face problems in successful management. As per the
Kositphon and Chaovalitwongse, (2016) one of the main problems in managing inventory is
fulfilling customers’ demand and having lack of space for storing, Sometimes it becomes
difficult to predict demands of customers and due to lack of ability of prediction as well as
imbalance between available inventory and demand direct affects supplies. This imbalance can
affect customers; experience. So, it is important to solve this problem for increasing efficiency.
NHS face problems in storing health care and food products as there is a fear of decreasing
quality. For improving health and providing access to all people to food and healthcare services
they have to store products and lack of storage is the main problem.
According to the Bendavid, Herer and Yücesan, (2017) there are several ways which can allow
suppliers in managing inventory in an effective manner and also make a balance between people’
demand and supply is using or implementing Just in time tool. As per this approach, suppliers
and companies can reduce waste and increase efficiency by ordering products and producing
goods only when they are required. Ordering extra inventory can increase cost as it requires extra
space and can also be damaged. So, this is one of the best tool or strategy for effective inventory
management which is being used by some retailers. It is also found that NHS supply chain has to
manage around 4.5 million orders per year as 95000 orders points at around 15,000 locations.
For that it has to contact several suppliers and managing all of them is other main problem (NHS
Supply Chain, 2018).
Inventory management plays an important role because it helps them out in preventing stocks,
managing multiple locations at once in an effective manner, supplying products to customers in a
right quantity and quality which leads to increase customers’ experience. When customers
receive products in right quantity then they are more likely to stay loyal with NHS for the long
run which improves their image. It reduces storage cost an companies can increase profit margin
which can allow them to become sustainable and taking competitive advantages. It is also stated
by Hidayat and Saleh, (2020) that better inventory management and turnover bring revenue

which is beneficial for suppliers and NHS supply chain as by doing, so they can make an
effective position in the market for the long run.
Strategies and effectiveness of managing suppliers
Rather, managing inventory and quality it is also important to manage suppliers and their
relationship for making them able to support companies in accomplishing their goals. In the
context of retailers it can be said that managing multiple suppliers is a difficult task as companies
cannot solve queries, complaints and cost of quality. When NHS handle multiple suppliers then it
does not consider their requirements because it can increase their time and cost and by which
suppliers who have bargaining power and do not prefer to work more with NHS supply chain
and for that they have to face problems in hiring skilled suppliers. Selection of suppliers is also a
difficult task so, it can be said that all these problems occur while managing suppliers which
needs to be solved in a timely and effective manner Wang and et.al., (2019).
In the context of solving problems of suppliers management Yoon and et.al., (2018) stated that
there are several tools and strategies are available which is allowing volunteers of NHS in better
management of suppliers and supply chain. A new NHS supply chain was being designed in
order to help NHS deliver clinically assured, quality products at the best value. Category Towers,
delivering clinical consumables, capital medical equipment are some buying functions included
in this new model. One of the best ways is monitoring suppliers capabilities and experiences in
order to meet job role criteria and rather choosing multiple suppliers company should focus on
hiring only few suppliers with skills and knowledge who can meet future needs. After hiring,
NHS also require maintaining relationship with them in order to encourage them and also
making them able to stay with company and not to switch company as it can increase their brand.
Supplier score card, providing benefits and rewards to them can aloe allow companies in
increasing suppliers retention rate and improving relation as well.
Managing suppliers and relation plays an important role and in this context Ruiz-Benitez, López
and Real, (2017) said that it allows retailers and companies to increase value for business
requirements. A better supplier’s management is the key of success of business and effective
supply chain management which can help companies in making a strong and effective position in
the market. By managing relation with suppliers, company can make better alignment with
technology, resources, process and tools which is critical for business success.

Tools of maintaining safety and quality for taking competitive advantages
Quality is other main key area of managing supply chain and it is the one main factor
which is being considered by people and important for improving their health and when they get
qualitative food and healthcare products in a timely manner then it makes them feel valued and
increase engagement with NHS. So, it can be said that maintaining quality and safety in supply
chain is important. There are several problems which suppliers face in maintaining quality of
products such as: like defects in quality of products while supplying products to people due to
buying products from different suppliers, increased waste and cost as well Vasiliev and et.al.,
(2016). All these problems can direct affect image of the company and can also decrease sales
and profit margin.
In addition, in the context of solving problems related to poor quality or improving quality in
supply chain management Pambreni and et.al., (2019) stated that by implementing some tools
related to quality management retailers can protect themselves against this problem. They said
that total quality management is one of the best ways or tool which allows companies in reducing
wastes in production process and improving quality. This tool and strategy is mainly based on
the principle that every member if staff and production department required to be committed to
maintain high standard of work in every aspects of company operations.
There are several benefits of managing quality as well as safety in supply chain management and
in the production process which company can take. Companies can increase customers’ retention
rate by understanding their needs in an effective manner and attracting them towards buying
products and services as well. It also allows retailers as well as suppliers in managing risks in a
better way as well as taking competitive advantages Lasrado, (2019). One of the other main
benefits of quality management is improving internal communication and allowing participants
to improve their efficiency and also engage with the company for the long run.
Aim
“ To identify ways or strategies of solving supply chain issues which supply chain
managers are facing. A Case Study on NHS supply chain.
Objectives
 To identify importance and ways of managing inventory.

 To explore strategies and effectiveness of managing suppliers.
 To identify tools of maintaining safety and quality for taking competitive advantages.
Research questions
1. What are some ways, problems and importance of managing inventory?
2. Which strategies can help companies in managing suppliers?
3. What are some benefits of using tools of maintaining quality and safety for taking
advantages of competition?
Justification and Contextualization
Importance of research
Supply chain refers a process of production as well as distribution of products and
services whose management plays an important role because it allows NHS in increasing
competitiveness and customers’ satisfaction. But nowadays suppliers are facing several problems
related to maintaining quality of products, damages which happen in the process of supply chain,
maintaining relation with businesses and retaining in the market for the long run. So, one of the
main reasons of conducting this research is to help companies and retailers in identifying
strategies and ways of solving all issues like managing inventory, suppliers and quality in order
to make an effective position in the market and also for taking competitive advantages.
Reason of importance
Identification of strategies and ways related to solving problems of supply chain
management is the key of the success because it is all related to quality of products and services
given to customers which should be effective. By conducting research on the topic of issues
which suppliers are facing related to managing supply chain is important because by gathering
information related to this, business can find effective strategies and the main root cause which
can allow them to put efforts and solve problems and making a stable position in the market and
also help people by providing them employment and other opportunities. One of the main
reasons which can be identified by conducting this study and gathering information suppliers
find that due to multiple channels to market as well as increasing cost throughout the supply
chain are main problems which suppliers are facing (Kumar, Kumar and Thenmozhi, 2019).

Fulfilling customers needs and satisfying them is the main area of effectiveness of supply chain
management and due to other problems related to supply chain management, suppliers are facing
problems in customers service or satisfaction. Due to lack of this area it can snatch several
opportunities from businesses and suppliers and it can also affect economy and other main areas.
Response to requirements
For making research study successful it is important to accomplish all pre-determined
goals and the main aim of the research study which is identifying problems along with solutions
which suppliers arte facing related to inventory, suppliers and quality management. For
accomplishing goals it is important of having appropriate information like what suppliers are
feeling, why these problems are creating, which ways can help them out in solving these and all.
It can be happen by conducing and following every steps of research. After that it is also
important for scholar to complete study in a timely manner and also identify that whether this
study is effective and has an ability to response an existing needs or not. So, in this context it can
be said that this study will be conducted by researcher in an effective manner by following each
and every step of research like conducting literature for knowing different views of authors
regarding supply chain and all relevant objectives, identifying research types, collecting and
analyzing data and conducting the whole research by considering codes of ethics.
So, overall it can be said that all these can allow researcher in having appropriate and
detailed information related to supply chain which can also allow him to complete this study in a
timely manner. By doing this study can also respond to an existing needs of suppliers and
researcher like finding ways of making supply chain management effective.
Research Methodology
Research types: This is the main element of research methodology which shows a form in
which data needs to be gathered by researcher. There are mainly 2 forms of gathering data such
as in numerical form and in a word or feeling form. Those information which are being gathered
in the form of feelings/words or non-numerical form is known as qualitative research (Hennink,
Hutter and Bailey, 2020). Whereas, this information which are being collected in the form of

numbers in known as quantitative research. For this study for identifying problems as well as
solution of supply chain management researcher will focus on qualitative research.
Research approach: After identifying the type of data it is important to select research approach
or process consisting some steps of broad assumptions to detailed method of collection, analysis
and interpretation of data. Inductive and deductive are 2 research approaches. In the type of
deductive research approach, researcher focuses on developing an existing theory from which he
can gather information. On the other hand, in inductive approach, scholar generates a brand new
theory at his own which increases his knowledge and allows him to gather relevant information
to the topic. So, for this study, scholar will use inductive research approach.
Research philosophy: Research philosophy refers a belief about techniques or methods in which
information about a phenomenon should be gathered and used as well for allowing researcher to
accomplish their objectives by having appropriate data. In interpretivism type of philosophy,
researcher believes that people react to social forces as positivist believes. In the type of
positivism, researcher believes that society plays an important role in shaping people which
consists of actual facts and experience. Interpretivism is suitable with inductive approach and
qualitative research type so, scholar will choose this philosophy.
Data collection: Data collection plays an important role as without collecting data or
information’s researcher can find difficulties in completing the study. By collecting relevant data
from either primary or secondary as per the nature of the study, research get effective
information’s and accomplishes the main goal. In primary data collection, researcher gets first
hand data which allows them to make study successful and effective and in secondary type,
scholar collects second hand data which are already being published (Clark and Vealé, 2018).
Questionnaire, surveys are some sources of primary data collection and internet, books and
journals are some sources of secondary data collection. For this study, researcher will focus on
both types of data collection.
Data analysis: Making collected data effective and appropriate for making use in accomplishing
goals of the study is important and it can be done by data analysis. After collecting data, scholar
analyze or mould them for making them relevant and using for accomplishing goals.As like
research types, there are 2 types of data analysis such as qualitative and quantitative. For

analyzing qualitative and non-numerical data, researcher uses qualitative data analysis tool and
for analyzing quantitative and numerical data they use quantitative data analysis tools. This study
is qualitative so, researcher will make use of qualitative data analysis tool or thematic analysis.
Sampling: For gathering data there is requirement of having effective and appropriate sources
from which researcher can collect data related to the topic. Rather, primary and secondary
sources researcher often focus on gathering data from sample. Sample refers a group of people
which are being selected by researcher and process of targeting people in known as sampling. In
random type of sampling, researcher target people randomly and in non random people are being
selected on the basis of some criteria. For this, researcher will use random sampling or will select
random suppliers of NHS.
Ethical consideration: Ethics is important as it refers moral obligations which help people in
identifying the difference between the right conduct or right act and the wrong act (Alderson and
Morrow, 2020). In the context of research it can be said that ethics allow researcher in making
research study successful and also improving his image in the eyes of participants and companies
for which they work. There are several codes of ethics which needs to be considered by
researcher for making this study successful and ethical such as:
 To not hurt anyone in any manner.
 To keep information of participants safe and secure.
 To not disclose information of participants and company with any other organization.
 To nor force anyone for taking participation in research study and in data collection.
Research limitations
Conducting research is not an easy task as researcher have to face some problems and
there are several areas which they require to be considered while conducting research such as:
Issues with sample size and selection, lack of previous research studies on the topic, selection of
sources for gathering appropriate information which can allow researcher in meeting their goals.
Rather, all these some changes occur in external and internal business environmental factors like

climate changes, lack of human technical and financial resources can delay in the submission of
the study.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that supply chain management played a
vital role as effective management of supply chain allow suppliers of NHS to maximize value as
well as improving health of vulnerable people for which they are working. Further, it has also
shown different problems which suppliers are facing nowadays in managing supply chain such
as managing inventory while delivering products to customers, managing quality of health care
and food products, keeping track of finished goods and inventory etc. It has also discussed some
effective ways, strategies as well as tools which can allow researcher in managing supply chain,
inventory and quality in an effective manner such as implementation of TQM, Six sigma and
other tools for quality management. Using Bar code and other scanning tools for managing
inventory and tracking records. All over it has shown importance of using advanced technology
in solving all problems which suppliers are facing and also being in the market for the long run.
In addition, this research proposal has shown importance of using all elements of research
methodology as it allows researcher in collecting information from different and appropriate
sources relevant to the topic and accomplish goals. Lastly, it has shown importance of following
moral principles or ethics while conducting research in order to make it successful and
improving image.

REFERENCES
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ONLINE
NHS Supply Chain. 2018. Online Available through: < https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/about-
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