Digital transformation in healthcare supply chains: empirical investigation for achieving operational excellence

Navigating the complexities of achieving resilience and operational excellence in healthcare supply chains requires urgent and strategic digital transformation (DT). This study, grounded in Resource-Based View (RBV) and Organisational Information Processing Theory (OIPT), investigates how transformational leadership and information sharing influence DT adoption in hospitals. Based on survey data from 200 healthcare managers, the findings reveal that information sharing significantly drives DT adoption, whereas transformational leadership shows no direct effect, challenging common assumptions. DT adoption positively impacts transparency, collaboration, and resilience, which are essential for operational excellence. However, while collaboration and resilience enhance performance, transparency alone shows a negative impact, suggesting that visibility without support structures may expose inefficiencies. These results highlight the non-linear and context-dependent nature of DT outcomes in healthcare, offering both theoretical and practical contributions. The study provides actionable insights for managers and policymakers to craft effective, context-aware digital strategies that strengthen supply chain capabilities in dynamic healthcare environments.