Effect of Inventory Control on Medical Supply Chain Performance: The Moderating Role of Information Technology among Medical Stores Department Customers in Tanzania

Abstract

Efficient inventory control is essential for ensuring the consistent availability of essential medicines and improving the performance of public healthcare supply chains. This study investigates the effect of inventory control (INC) on medical supply chain performance (MSCP) in Tanzania while examining the moderating role of information technology (IT). Grounded in the Resource-Based View and Institutional Theory, the study explores how internal capabilities and external institutional pressures interact to influence supply chain outcomes. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising closed-ended items measured on a five-point Likert scale, adapted from validated instruments in existing literature. A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents from stakeholders involved in the medical supply chain in the Songwe Region, with a sample size of 289. Quantitative data were analysed using SmartPLS 4.1.

The findings revealed that inventory control positively and significantly affected medical supply chain performance. Information technology also exhibited a strong direct positive effect on MSCP. However, IT negatively moderated the relationship between INC and MSCP, indicating that misalignment between digital systems and operational capacity may undermine performance gains. These findings underscore the importance of strategic alignment between IT investments and inventory practices. The study contributes to the literature by empirically validating the interaction between inventory control and IT in public health supply chains. It offers practical insights for enhancing supply chain performance in resource-constrained settings like Tanzania.