Proceedings of ICLT 2012
ASSESSING AVAILABILITY RISKS IN HEALTH CARE SERVICE SUPPLY CHAINS
Mika Immonen; Jyri Vilko; Jouni Koivuniemi; Sanna Natunen
Lappeenranta University of Technology, Faculty of Technology Management, Lappeenranta, Finland; Lappeenranta University of Technology, School of Business, Lappeenranta, Finland; Lappeenranta University of Technology, Faculty of Technology Management, Lappeenranta, Finland; Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Care and Social Services, Lappeenranta, Finland
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2012, Chiang Mai, Thailand, pp. 63-71
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Abstract
Purpose: In many countries the demand structure for health care services is changing due to ageing population. This has led to the need to re-assess the current designs of the current service models. This paper studies health care services as service supply chains which face an availability risk largely due to the re-organisation of the service supply. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a survey methodology approach in the context of the Finnish health care system. The study is based on regional health care system statistics and vast questionnaire results. Findings: Taking customer perspective into account in planning health care services increases customer perceived availability and social acceptance of services. Geographical distance might have a great influence on availability risk, but it is context dependent and rooted in routines and habits of customer groups. Originality/value: The availability risk of health care services is still a focal subject under research and there are clear gaps in the current scientific discussion from several perspectives. This study addresses some new research perspectives to the availability of health care services. Our contribution to earlier scientific discussion is formed through the combination of geographical availability and customer perspective.
Keywords
Availability; risk; health care; service supply chain; assessment; geographical distance; Finland. Paper type: Research paper
Citation
Mika Immonen; Jyri Vilko; Jouni Koivuniemi; Sanna Natunen (2012). ASSESSING AVAILABILITY RISKS IN HEALTH CARE SERVICE SUPPLY CHAINS. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2012), Chiang Mai, Thailand, pp. 63-71.