Sustainable Digitalization in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains Using Theory of Constraints: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Sustainable digitalized supply chain management in a pharmaceutical company can help reduce operation costs, improve assets, enhance shareholders’ value, positively respond to customer demand, and generate profits. Guided by the theory of constraints, this qualitative multiple-case study aimed to explore strategies pharmaceutical managers use to digitalize integrated supply chain systems to increase sustainability and profitability. The participants were senior supply chain managers from various pharmaceutical companies in the US with strategies to digitalize their integrated supply chain systems. Data collection included semistructured interviews and publicly available company documents analysis. Data were analyzed using the six-step thematic process, and three themes emerged: (a) constraints in the current supply chain system, (b) digital technology enablers, and (c) sustainable, resilient, and agile supply chain systems. A system model was developed as an outcome of the research. The primary recommendation for pharmaceutical supply chain managers is to identify constraints in the current supply chain system, follow a digital road map using digital enablers and maintain a sustainable, resilient, and agile supply chain system. Implications for positive social change include the potential to improve the delivery and quality of pharmaceutical products needed for patients by not compromising environmental, social, and economic sustainability.