Modelling the performance of waste management services in Ghana’s public hospitals

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore and establish key performance indicators that could be considered towards improving the delivery of waste management (WM) services in public hospitals.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was adopted for this study. This involved two phases of data collection and analysis. Specifically, interviews in selected case studies hospitals and a general questionnaire survey. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to model the relationships among the performance variables. An expanded balanced scorecard typology was used to categorize performance variables.FindingsThe results demonstrate that quality and internal business strategic indicators have a significant influence on WM performance. By implication, public hospital managers would be well advised to invest resources in improving internal business operations, learning and growths, as well as prioritizing finance in the process of managing healthcare waste.Practical implicationsThe developed WM structural model can be used to identify performance indicators that can be incorporated into public hospitals’ WM strategy to improve performance leading to a decent healthcare environment.Originality/valueThe majority of studies have centered on the knowledge and practices of healthcare WM. This study extends the knowledge of healthcare WM literature from the perspective of FM performance measurement. The developed model of the study is invaluable to many developing countries that are faced with the challenge of improving WM practices.