Motivators of social sustainability in healthcare supply chains in the UAE—Stakeholder perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the dimensions of motivation for social sustainability in healthcare in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Further, the impact of these dimensions on the motivation for social sustainability is examined. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed based on interviews with administrators of large healthcare units in the UAE. The responses to this instrument are examined using principal component analysis to identify the five major dimensions of motivation for social sustainability. A measurement model (confirmatory analysis) is developed to examine the relationship among these dimensions. Finally, a structural model is developed to examine the significance of these dimensions regarding the concept of motivation for social sustainability in healthcare. Five major dimensions, namely, organizational practices, media and reputation, excellence and awards, technology and innovation, and attitudes, were identified as some of the key motivators of social sustainability in healthcare supply chains in the UAE. Organizational practices and attitudes are found to have the highest and lowest impact, respectively, on the motivation for social sustainability. This paper will enable healthcare units to examine the extent of their motivation for social sustainability. Hospital administrators, medical professionals and governmental departments will be able to use these findings to assess and benchmark their performance against that of other competitive hospitals. This will allow them to remain sustainable not only economically and environmentally but also socially. A comprehensive instrument of motivation for social sustainability is developed, and first and second order (measurement and structural) models for the dimensions that pertain to this motivation are examined.