Digging DEEP - Futuristic building blocks of omni-channel healthcare supply chains resiliency using machine learning approach

Aug 2, 2026

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The study addresses the lack of research on factors driving omni-channel healthcare supply chain resiliency (OHSCR). A three-phase method is applied: identifying resilience factors through literature review and expert interviews, then using a machine learning technique (K-means clustering) to develop futuristic building blocks, followed by implications and future research directions. Results recommend six building blocks for healthcare stakeholders, supported by a conceptual research framework for further work.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

COVID-19 disruptions and healthcare supply chains

Shift toward omni-channel information flows and engagement

Study approach and development of OHSCR building blocks

Phase 1: literature review and expert interviews

Phase 2: K-means clustering using machine learning

Phase 3: implications and future research propositions

Journal of Business Research 162 (2023) 113903 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Business Research journal [homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres) | Digging DEEP: Futuristic building blocks of omni-channel healthcare supply chains resiliency using machine learning approach
Anil Kumar a, Farheen Nazb, Sunil Luthrac, Rajat Vashisthad, Vikas Kumare, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes f, *, Deepak Chhabrag
a Guildhall School of Business and Law, London Metropolitan University, London, UK b University of Stavanger Business School, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
c Director, Training and Learning Bureau, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, India
d ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia e Faculty of Business Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, UK
f Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, University of Derby, Kedleston Road Campus, Derby, UK g Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maharshi Dayanand University Rohtak, Haryana, India | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
Healthcare supply chains
Omni-channel
Resilience
Omni-channel healthcare supply chains resiliency
Machine learning | | There is a lack of studies which have explored the factors of omni-channel healthcare supply chain resiliency (OHSCR). Thus, the current study explores the resiliency factors of healthcare supply chains (HSCs) and the development of futuristic blocks of OHSCR. In the first phase of the study, the resiliency factors of HSCs were identified through an extensive literature review and expert interviews. In the second phase, a machine learning approach, i.e., K-means clustering, was used to develop the futuristic blocks of OHSCR. Lastly, in the third phase, implications and future research propositions were discussed. The findings of this study suggest that the healthcare sector evaluating OHSCR should focus on six key building blocks: data-driven management and transformative technological adoption, flexible and transparent organisational management system, robust and diversified supply chain system, responsible and customer-centric supply chain, information sharing and knowledge management, and strategic alignment and network ecosystem. A conceptual research framework is also proposed to support future research. | 1. Introduction Global supply chains (SCs) were strained more than ever before during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused unprecedented disruptions for most SCs and posed uncertainties and risks in demand, supply, labour, and logistics, among other areas (Ivanov & Dolgui, 2020). The outbreak of COVID-19 significantly impacted healthcare supply chains (HSCs) in terms of services, products, labour, and infrastructure directly involved in pandemic containment and provision of support for other health treatments (Tortorella et al., 2021a,b). In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic led to severe shortages of vital medical supplies, posing significant procurement issues for HSCs. Due to these disruptions, the debate to improve the resiliency of HSCs to ensure the accessibility of critical health supplies during pandemics has received increased attention (Spieske et al., 2022). Disruption planning, mitigation, and recovery procedures for traditional HSCs were ineffective in dealing with the major COVID-19-related disruptions. As a result, many organisations altered their strategy to survive and adapt, as achieving the ’old normal’ is no longer viable because the ’old equilibrium’ no longer exists. The healthcare industry has transformed dramatically in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a trigger. Traditionally, the healthcare ecosystem has prioritised unidirectional information flow from the healthcare provider to the customer. However, in terms of consumer well-being

FAQs

What problem does the study focus on regarding OHSCR?

It addresses the limited research exploring the factors behind omni-channel healthcare supply chain resiliency, and aims to define those factors and translate them into future-oriented building blocks.

How are the futuristic building blocks of OHSCR developed?

First, resiliency factors are identified via extensive literature review and expert interviews. Next, K-means clustering is used to develop the futuristic blocks, and then implications and future research directions are discussed.

What six building blocks does the study recommend for evaluating OHSCR?

The findings recommend focusing on: data-driven management and transformative technology adoption; flexible and transparent organizational management; a robust and diversified supply chain; a responsible and customer-centric supply chain; information sharing and knowledge management; and strategic alignment with a network ecosystem.

Aug 2, 2026

Upload by Logic