An article titled “Enhancing hospital logistics through service modularity” by Tengiz Verulava and Giorgi Kurtanidze has been published in the British international peer-reviewed journal Leadership in Health Services. The article appears in the journal published by Emerald Publishing (UK).
The authors of the paper are:
- Tengiz Verulava – Professor at the Caucasus University Business School and Director of the Health Policy Center;
- Giorgi Kurtanidze – student at the Caucasus University School of Medicine.
Article reference:
Verulava, T., & Kurtanidze, G. (2026). Enhancing hospital logistics through service modularity. Leadership in Health Services. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHS-10-2025-0173.
The journal Leadership in Health Services is indexed in Scopus. According to the source text provided, its CiteScore 2025 is 4.3.
Abstract
Healthcare organizations face a dual challenge: reducing costs while improving service quality. The study aims to explore how the concept of service modularity can be applied to hospital logistics in order to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and staff work experience.
The research was conducted in eight hospitals in Georgia. Data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews, 4 focus groups, and document analysis.
The findings identified three interrelated dimensions of modularity:
- the division and classification of services and materials;
- process differentiation, including automation and the separation of support functions from clinical activities;
- organizational centralization and specialization.
These approaches contribute to greater efficiency, improved cost control, and the reduction of routine logistical burdens on medical staff. The study also identified key barriers, including communication gaps, resistance to standardization, and outdated technological systems.
The research demonstrates that modular logistics improves workflow transparency and benefits not only nurses and physicians, but also administrative personnel. For hospital managers, it is important to view modularity not merely as a technical solution, but as an organizational one. On a broader social level, increased operational efficiency and improved staff working conditions can indirectly enhance the quality of patient care and the sustainability of the healthcare system.
The paper makes an important contribution to the development of service modularity theory, particularly in the context of healthcare systems in transition. It also offers a conceptual framework for modular hospital logistics, serving as a practical guide for healthcare managers.
