An operational and sustainable perspective on the healthcare supply chain. A Systematic Literature Review

The healthcare supply chain is a fundamental component of the global healthcare ecosystem, characterized by high complexity and stringent regulations. Efficient management and continuous updates are essential to address challenges related to technological innovation, sustainability, and the ever-evolving market dynamics. This research aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the healthcare supply chain through three research questions, focusing on lean production, sustainability, and the operational, economic, environmental, and social aspects of the healthcare supply chain. The approach adopted is a systematic literature review (SLR), a rigorous and structured method that enables the identification, selection, and critical analysis of relevant studies, thus providing a clear overview of the state of the art in this field. The findings of this analysis highlight the areas of the healthcare supply chain that have received the most attention in the existing literature and identify research gaps that offer opportunities for further investigation.