The Impact of Information Technology Integration on Supply Chain Agility in the Medical Supplies Industry in Uganda

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between IT integration, sourcing flexibility, logistics flexibility and supply chain ability. The study focused on ARV distribution from Joint Medical Stores to its health units in central Uganda.  A cross sectional and quantitative research design was used. Primary data was collected from 80 Health units using self-structured questionnaires.  Data was analyzed using SPSS where; a Content Validity Index was ran to assess the validity of each construct and the reliability of the variables was assessed using Cronbach alpha at a cut off level of 0.7. Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of the relationship between variables and a Regression analysis to determine the extent to which the independent variables could predict a change in the dependent variable. The findings indicated a positive and significant relationship between the constructs of IT integration, sourcing flexibility, logistics flexibility and supply chain ability. From this study, it is recommendable that in order to improve the supply chain’s agility, other factors like; donor demands, political stability, the stigma associated with AIDS among others, should be given attention.

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