Track: Supply Chain Management

Abstract

Blood Supply Chain Management is highly critical as ensuring the availability of the right blood type at the right demand point, in the right quantity, at the right time is a matter of life and death. The overall objective of this study is to explore the optimization approaches in inventory management of blood supply chains. A review of literature has been carried out to investigate different optimization approaches and management concepts towards blood inventory optimization while maximizing the service levels and minimizing discard rates. In the process of reviewing literature, initially 43 studies published between 2000 and 2019 were analysed through the keywords search and 19 papers were selected which were directly related to the area of study. A framework was developed by summarizing optimization techniques used; factors and complexities affecting blood inventory performance were identified and analysed. This paper includes state of the knowledge, potential research areas, and gaps that are available in this arena as a guidance for future researchers in this field. As further research, it is suggested to explore the behaviour of inventory management practices of multi-product, multi-echelon and perishable supply chains with highly uncertain demand and supply.

Keywords: Optimization, Blood Supply Chains, Inventory Management