Instructions
OBJECTIVE
The intent of this project is to apply course concepts, and to perform an in-depth analysis of healthcare supply chains issues that are of interest to you. In particular, the project should further your understanding of the dynamics associated with improvement of operational performance from a supply chain perspective.
Students will work in teams on this project (up to 4 people). The team is required to prepare a detailed report and deliver presentations to class.
PROJECT CONTENT
To define the scope of your team project you should consider the three following content requirements:
a) Choose a topic with clear links to supply chain management
“The challenge for hospitals is to align the supply chain to the care delivery model.”
To choose a topic you can start by establishing a broad research question and then drill down on a specific issue of interest. Here are some illustrative examples:
How do healthcare organizations manage risk in the supply chain? What are relevant forms of risk? (Previous projects focused on shortages)
What are effective initiatives to reduce supply chain costs in the healthcare industry? (several projects explored the role of GPOs)
How can healthcare organizations leverage their supply network to promote competitive objectives such as continuity of care or patient experience?
How are healthcare organizations integrating a new promising technology in operational processes across the supply chain? (such as digital technologies)
What are some interesting examples of disruptive innovation in healthcare? What are the specific disruptive elements in their business model?
Healthcare delivery processes are information intensive, complex and require management of relationships with several suppliers (i.e. multiple organizations) to offer superior patient satisfaction cost-effectively. Keep in mind that supply chain management is a fragmented process; there are many opportunities for blind spots, gaps of knowledge and lack of real-time information.
***OUR TOPIC IS LOOKING AT SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AS IT RELATES TO THE WHOLESALER AND MANUFACTURER WITHIN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
b) Identify a pair of organizations within healthcare supply chains that are driving improvement/innovation in the industry regarding your topic.
Identify a pair of organizations and compare their operations strategies (from a supply chain perspective) while focusing on your topic.
*** OUR ORGANIZATION IS AMAZON (Wholesaler) vs PFIZER (Manufacturer)
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each organization and give your opinions based on what you learned on the appropriateness of the operations strategy of each. Your analysis should include a short description of each organization, the supply network surrounding the focal organization, and design choices regarding the supply chain. Describe how the firm’s role within the supply chain has evolved and it’s predicted to evolve. Give your opinion on the relative competitive strengths of each company going forward in time and the role that operations plays in each company’s competitive strengths and weaknesses.
When assessing competitive strengths and weaknesses consider key dimensions of performance (productivity, speed, cost, quality, and patient experience). Show your research findings and cite your sources.
c) Opportunity for disruptive innovation
The theory of disruptive innovation posits that transformation in any industry occurs when small entities disrupt larger ones by focusing on efficient and economical processes and procedures as simpler solutions for complex problems
Search for evidence of disruptive innovation associated with your topic area. What are examples of disruptive innovation? Choose one example and describe the underlying business model.
In case your search does not find examples of disruptive innovation, and staying within the scope of your SCM project, you can present a reflection on areas that are ripe for innovation and/or offer greater opportunity for disruption. Explain the operational problem requiring innovation and describe the likely impact of the innovation in terms of organizational performance.
Report
Report format basics
Title page that includes team members’ names and executive summary
Formatted to fit 8 ½ by 11 paper
1” margins all around
12 point font for the body of the text (single or 1.5 spacing)
The report should be 8 pages +/- 2 pages (not including title page nor exhibits)
Append as many exhibits as you wish as long as you refer to them in the text of the paper. Sources for all outside materials should be cited appropriately. Every exhibit should have a title and a caption.
Bibliography of sources and articles used
Grammar and neatness do matter
Please cite all significant external sources used for your essay. This applies to documents you may have received from the company you are analyzing, interviews with industry experts, etc. Solid work is typically aware of and builds on what others have done. Ideally though, you should take this external information and add the filter of your own critical thinking and the concepts studied in this class to synthesize it, critique it, etc.
Presentation: Present your materials to the class (last session) – 12-15 minute presentation (depending on the number of teams we end up with) + Q&A.
Use the following criteria to prepare your presentation:
Organization: Information is presented in logical, interesting sequence which audience can follow; Conclusion is accurate and shows thoughtful, strong evaluation of the evidence presented
Creativity: Uses the unexpected to full advantage; very original, clever, and creative approach that captures audience’s attention.
Style: Graphics are designed to reinforce presentation thesis and maximize audience understanding; use of media is varied and appropriate with media not being added simply for the sake of use. Media are prepared in a professional manner. Details are minimized so that main points stand out.
Grammar, Voice: Poised, clear articulation; proper volume; steady rate; enthusiasm; confidence; Correct, precise pronunciation of terms; Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors.
Length of Presentation: Presentation is not rushed, does not exceed the allotted time
Questions and Answers: Demonstrates extensive knowledge of the topic by responding confidently, precisely and appropriately to all audience questions.
GRADING
A detailed rubric is available on Canvas under the assignment link. Please review to familiarize yourselves with the grading criteria.
Besides content requirements it is expected that your analysis:
(1) Includes applications of concepts discussed in class, for instance use network to depict the supply chain, address process design issues such as capacity and choice of technology, frame issue as a newsvendor problem, etc
(2) Goes beyond simply answering the prompt, i.e., description of organization and supply network; attempts to stimulate further thought & discussion. Combines and evaluates existing ideas to form new insights.
(3) Provides an accurate and complete explanation of key concepts. Information accurate; all names and facts were precise and explicit
(4) Provides evidence of extensive and valid research with multiple and varied sources.
Below you find two examples of reports from previous semesters. The assignment has changed, yet the core element of analysis of a healthcare supply chain remain the same.
The first explores the blood supply chain in the US and the second the supply chain for vaccines, with emphasis on cold chain management. Both were good projects, one is an A+ and the other an A-, I will leave it to you to find out (think how you would improve versus grading rubric).
SCM_Blood Supply_Report.pdf
SCM_vaccines cold chain.pdf
Presentation on trends in healthcare supply chains:
Mod4B OM Healthcare SC.pptx
Sources: 12 sources required
Citation Style: APA 7th edition
8 pages / 2200 words (Double spacing)
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