Improving circular economy implementation in procurement of health sector : a case study of NHS, Scotland
Aasam, Fariha (2021)
Aasam, Fariha
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021110119127
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021110119127
Tiivistelmä
The contribution of procurement to resource consumption, environmental degradation, and climate change is a reminder to change the current linear practices of take-make-waste and adopt stronger mitigation and adaptation solutions. To solve these issues, circular economy has emerged as a sustainable solution that integrates reduction, reuse, repair, remanufacture and at the same time offers different business models such as sharing platforms, product as service, extending product lifetime, circular supply chain, and recovery and recycling. Despite various advantages of circular economy, its adoption in the healthcare sector has been very limited.
The study followed an interpretivism philosophical stance and used qualitative methods to obtain primary data from procurement and sustainability professionals working in NHS Scotland, specialists from academia, and organizations working on CE in Scotland. Secondary data was collected through literature review and preliminary meetings conducted with NHS sustainability and procurement teams based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis by identifying key themes, relationships, coding, and sorting the data into categories. Reliability and generalisability of the qualitative data were ensured by reviewing the research problem, design and interview questions, and various rechecks of interview transcripts.
A framework for improving CE implementation in NHS Scotland has been proposed after identifying barriers and drivers for change and enlisting the product groups that have the potential to include circularity. Recommendations have been made for policy, NHS Scotland, and future research areas.
The study followed an interpretivism philosophical stance and used qualitative methods to obtain primary data from procurement and sustainability professionals working in NHS Scotland, specialists from academia, and organizations working on CE in Scotland. Secondary data was collected through literature review and preliminary meetings conducted with NHS sustainability and procurement teams based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis by identifying key themes, relationships, coding, and sorting the data into categories. Reliability and generalisability of the qualitative data were ensured by reviewing the research problem, design and interview questions, and various rechecks of interview transcripts.
A framework for improving CE implementation in NHS Scotland has been proposed after identifying barriers and drivers for change and enlisting the product groups that have the potential to include circularity. Recommendations have been made for policy, NHS Scotland, and future research areas.