Supply chain integration and operational performance in health institutions: A structural model for mediation effects

This study has examined the impact of supply chain integration on operational performance among health institutions. The study assessed the direct, indirect and mediated effects of supply chain integration on operational performance among health institutions in Ghana using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). In this research, the quantitative descriptive survey research design was used. A total of twenty (20) health institutions were sampled from an accessible population of thirty (30) using the simple random sampling technique. A total of two hundred and fifty-four (254) employees and managers from the health institutions were sampled using the stratified sampling technique. For direct effects, the findings of the study have shown that internal integration positively impacts external integration (customer and supplier integration). Direct positive relationships exist between internal integration and operational performance as well as supplier integration and operational performance. A non-significant relationship exists between customer integration and operational performance. For mediation effects, supplier integration significantly mediates the relationship between internal integration and operational performance, while customer integration does not significantly mediate the relationship between internal integration and operational performance among the health institutions in Ghana. The study has managerial implications for health institutions in strengthening their supplier and customer integrations through advanced database systems to enhance their operational performance.