Date of Award

Summer 8-14-2025

Embargo Period

8-14-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

Department

Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Mary Dooley

Second Advisor

Jillian Harvey

Third Advisor

Jami Jones

Abstract

Healthcare supply chain disruptions threaten the quality of patient care, and can increase costs, particularly in systems reliant on global suppliers. This study examined the risk management practices of healthcare supply chain professionals in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey of 72 professionals from hospitals, regulatory agencies, and other healthcare organizations revealed that 72.2% experienced supply shortages in the past year, most often involving general medical supplies, specialty medicines, and essential medicines. The most frequently reported risks were supplier shortages, reliance on single-source suppliers, and logistics disruptions, while cybersecurity threats were rarely cited. Although 76.4% of organizations reported having formal risk management frameworks—most commonly business continuity planning, supplier risk assessments, and inventory buffers—persistent shortages indicate a disconnect between these frameworks and their practical effectiveness. These findings underscore the need for standardized, context-specific frameworks and greater supplier diversification to enhance healthcare supply chain resilience.

Rights

Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.

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