Enterprise risk management implementation challenges in the Zimbabwean medical laboratory industry

Abstract

Abstract Background. Of late there has been increasing interest in risk management (RM) across the world due to the global financial crisis’s impact on the world economy and also the changing business environment characterized by threats from economic, political, natural and technical resources. Health care organizations including medical laboratories are environments characterised by high management complexity and they are subject to a constant exposure to risks. The objective of the study was to investigate the ERM implementation challenges in the Zimbabwe medical laboratories sector. Methodology. A cross-sectional survey through 41 self-administered questionnaires and interviews with medical laboratory staff from the 6 main medical laboratories in Zimbabwe. Results. The main challenges identified in the study included increased workload, staffing, organisational structures, timeliness of information, inadequate information technology support and insufficient financial support in ERM. Conclusion. The findings of this study give a critical insight into the key elements that need to be tackled as a starting point for a successful implementation of ERM in the medical laboratory sector in Zimbabwe. ERM is still a new approach in the sector and needs further research.