Date of Award

1-1-2022

Embargo Period

7-31-2022

Document Type

Dissertation - MUSC Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Mark Mellott

Second Advisor

Kit Simpson

Third Advisor

Jillian Harvey

Abstract

A competitive strategy aims to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) and enhance a business's performance. However, small firms, particularly small, disadvantaged firms, lack resources, financial capabilities, and managerial skills to sustain themselves, hindering their access to federal markets. Because they are responsible for most of the job creation in the United States, Congress has shown great interest in encouraging the growth and health of small businesses throughout the American economy. Over the years, a variety of policies and programs have been put forth by the US governments to enhance the economic sustainability of Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs). These preferential procurement programs, which include government set-asides and commercial supplier diversity initiatives, are intended to aid these entrepreneurs in overcoming this barrier. Even with these preferential programs, SDBs still struggle to sustain a strong market position. Some studies suggest that federal procurement markets can provide SDBs with an opportunity to leverage their status through preferred procurement programs to achieve a competitive advantage and thrive even when preferred procurement programs are discontinued, dismantled, or reconfigured. This research project examined federal acquisition variables that support a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in the federal healthcare sector. The project combines Resource-Based View theory with literature reviews to bridge knowledge gaps of factors enabling successful performance. This research study seeks to develop a conceptual framework of how federal healthcare contracts can support the sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) of small disadvantage businesses (SDBs) operating within the medical industry.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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