An Investigation into the Challenges Towards Implementation of Total Quality Management Under the Saudi Healthcare National Transformation Program-2020

Abstract

This paper critically reviewed the existing literature with regarding to healthcare national transformation programs both in the developed and developing countries in order to understand the strength and weaknesses of the Saudi healthcare national program 2020.The organizational, managerial, human and technological challenges has been examined with reference to know their role and impacts in the implementation of technology driven TQM in Saudi healthcare services under the NTP 2020. Based on the review of the literature, a theoretical model was developed with schematic illustration to describe the relationship and impact of the independent variables with and on the dependent variables of the study.Both critical analysis of the existing research as well as Actor Network Theory (ANT) were used in order to link the results and findings with current Saudi healthcare system in the light of existing research to identify the major challenges/gaps in the NTP of Saudi Arabia and suggest quantifiable measures/recommendations. Furthermore, to network the theory with practice, the researcher also used field visits for interaction with employees.The study concludes that transformation of the healthcare system must focus on the provision of quality in healthcare services whereas, healthcare quality can only be improved by supportive visionary leadership, proper planning, education and training, availability of resources, effective management of resources, employees and processes, and collaboration and cooperation among providers and above all the hybrid management to manage the process in a smooth, efficient and effective manner.

Keywords: Vision 2020, Saudi Healthcare System, Implementation of TQM, Organization, Managerial, Human and Technological Challenges.