Lean thinking in medical commodities supply chains: applicability and success factors for Tanzanian health supply chains

Purpose This paper aims to examine lean thinking in medical commodities supply chains by considering its applications and success factors. It determines the drivers wastes of commodity chain, existing tools practices together with their application chain processes. The also examined challenges factors for effective chains. Design/methodology/approach study used qualitative approaches, in-depth interviews focus group discussions key informants form basis data collection. Through thematic analysis, collected were analyzed developing themes reflecting objectives study. Findings main waste associated demand management, supplier development, institutional framework governance. observed at level inventory, operation costs, transaction delays terms service, delivery time quality. Digitalization, information technology standardization chain. Poor infrastructure, unreliable internet supply, environmental uncertainty poor management support realizing an Research limitations/implications Although approach provides detailed information, a quantitative covers larger sample generalization. Practical implications Capacity building professionalism should be given priority because philosophy focuses on removal continuous improvement, which highly depends quality human resource (Brito et al. , 2020). Limited capabilities will, therefore, result into operational efficiency, are wasted. Moreover, systems interoperability is minimization and, demands interventions. Social government under Ministry Health other sector ministries such as local regional governments better understand role adopt system-wide reforms improvements remove For example, current creates administrative block hence leads wastes. bureaucratic procedure removed minimize along Originality/value among first studies determine applicability implementation resource-constrained context. identifies contextual implementation. focused holistic view entire enhance well-functioning delivering health commodities.