Authors
Can Zhang, Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtalay Atasu, Georgia Institute of Technology
Turgay Ayer, Georgia Institute of Technology
L. Beril Toktay, Georgia Institute of Technology
Can MSROs simultaneously provide information about their inventory levels and obtain accurate need information from recipients?
Two alternative strategies can improve the value MSROs can provide to all their recipients: i) not sharing inventory information with recipients; and ii) withholding information regarding the preferences of other recipients (i.e., competitors) in the recipient pool.
Turgay Ayer, Georgia Institute of Technology
L. Beril Toktay, Georgia Institute of Technology
Research Questions Addressed
How can medical surplus recovery organizations (MSROs) overcome a challenging supply chain—limited supply, high and varied demand, and limited information about recipient needs—to deliver the right medical product to the right recipient healthcare facility?Can MSROs simultaneously provide information about their inventory levels and obtain accurate need information from recipients?
Primary Findings
Providing recipient organizations with information about the MSRO’s current medical surplus inventory is considered a best practice, but it can be problematic. Time-based competition can result in recipients selecting and receiving medical items that might not meet their most pressing needs.Two alternative strategies can improve the value MSROs can provide to all their recipients: i) not sharing inventory information with recipients; and ii) withholding information regarding the preferences of other recipients (i.e., competitors) in the recipient pool.