Integration and performance in a blood supply network

Although integration has received attention in healthcare, blood supply management literature has given more attention to the improvement of focal activities than to the integration of key processes, which is the focus in logistics and supply chain management. This article focuses on internal and external integration and examines their association with performance in the blood supply network context. In addition, the importance of managing focal activities efficiently is acknowledged. The article, therefore, proposes three perspectives for improving performance in supply networks. On the basis of this idea, a conceptual model is presented and the associations proposed are examined by using a survey approach. The results of the survey indicate that although focal activities separately enhanced would result in better performance, the possibilities for even better performance lie in 'doing things together'. Thus, to enhance blood supply network performance, internal and external integration should be emphasised.