Medical Laboratory Equipment business buying decision-making: The case
of Kenyan Public Hospitals
Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish who makes procurement decisions,
what resources are used while researching the business buying
decision-making process in the procurement of capital medical laboratory
equipment (CMLE) in public hospitals. Participants for the study were
selected using purposive sampling with a view to providing insights into
the explored issues. The target respondents were medical
superintendents, medical laboratory technologists and procurement
officers in six county referral hospitals in Kenya between May-June
2018. The findings show that medical salespersons, catalogues, and
referrals from colleagues were consulted when researching CMLE
procurement. Factors considered important in the business
decision-making included quality, continuity of reagents supply,
supplier capability, equipment costs, and ease of use. Public hospitals
in Kenya should adopt participatory purchasing models with key
stakeholders such as buyers, lower level employees in hospital
departments, and physicians, are included in the buying decision-making.