Key success factors for implementing purchasing groups in the healthcare sector
Résumé
A number of European Union reforms have been established in the healthcare sector with the aim of improving budgetary control. Logistics costs, in particular those relating to purchases, represent a significant share of hospital expenditure. In such situations, purchasing groups can bring health services considerable savings while maintaining service quality. Nevertheless, studies show that communication and cooperation issues can hinder the implementation and performance of purchasing groups, especially in the healthcare sector characterised by a complex supply chain. In addition, little research has been done to explore purchasing groups, despite their current development, both in the private and public sectors. This twofold empirical and theoretical observation is the motivation for this case study, which aims to identify and develop our understanding of the key success factors for implementing a purchasing group in the healthcare sector.