Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Pharmacy business management'

<p> Studies have revealed that bilingual individuals opt their native language as the first choice for consultation with health professionals. Moreover, a concordant cooperation between patient and pharmacist is significantly impaired where one party is applying a language with which both sides are not comfortable or confident. Accordingly, a multilingual pharmacy has the potential to remove language barriers for non-compliance among customers who need pharmacy services. On the other hand, in today&rsquo;s competitive market, a pharmacy may guarantee its survival, and also high revenue, if it fills a sizable amount of Medicare patients&rsquo; prescriptions since a majority of these physician orders include at least three types of chronic-disease medications. However, there are still communication barriers with some of Medicare beneficiaries because of their limited proficiency in English.</p><p> DANA, a private community pharmacy, intends to remove aforementioned obstacles in the heart of Laguna Woods and its neighboring cities where they place prescriptions for a large number of Persian and Hispanic immigrants and serve a community with the highest density of elderly people in Southern California.</p><p> DANA&rsquo;s mission is to deliver highly valued health care in a manner that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes for the whole community by performing its trilingual Farsi-Spanish-English pharmacy service and being more attentive to elderly patients.</p><p>

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.<br>On 16 January 2004, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa published the Draft Regulations to the Medicines and Related Substances Act No. 101 of 1965 (Republic of South Africa, 2010a) for comments due by 16 April 2004. These regulations would change the retail pharmacy landscape that generations of pharmacists had become dependent on in supporting themselves and the communities that they served. These regulations proposed a single exit price (SEP) that manufacturers might charge pharmaceutical wholesalers, which included the distribution cost. The wholesaler in turn would sell the pharmaceutical to the pharmaceutical retailer at the listed SEP, thus prohibiting discounts and in the process creating transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. This transparency would ensure that all people would pay the same price for their medication with the aim of making it affordable and available to those in need. Preceding these draft regulations was the amendment to the Pharmacy Act No. 53 of 1974 (Republic of South Africa, 2010c) concerning pharmacy ownership, which allowed non-pharmacist and legal entities to own pharmacies as of 2003. This amendment posed the first external threat to the autonomy of pharmacists regarding independent pharmacy ownership. Pharmacists now had to compete not only amongst themselves but also with large corporate food and health shops with in-house pharmacies. The resources and capabilities inherent to independent community pharmacies given the events of the past few years proved inadequate in competing with the corporate retailers. These two amendments to acts that influenced the existing pharmacy landscape posed a real threat to the sustainability of independent pharmacy business models. This paper investigates the issues that independent community pharmacies in South Africa are facing and their strategic options in the pharmaceutical and services value chain.

<p> With advances in technology and science, life expectancy is increasing, but most of the elders must take care of themselves or live in assisted home. Between 2015 and 2060, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the population adult aged 65 to 84 will grow to 89%; meanwhile, the number of adult 85 and older are expected to more than triple and about 11 million people age sixty-five and older are predicted to live alone, which is almost a third of the American population. They may have problems to receive essential medications because they are unable to drive or do not have access to public transportations. The FlyMed Pharmacy will assist the elderly by providing home delivery services such as emergency or maintenance medications. Consultations and advice will be provided through a mobile app, DeliverMyMed.</p><p>

The costs attributed to prescription errors negatively affect the profits of retail pharmacy businesses. The U.S. prescription error rate since 2010 was 0.1%, yet with more than 3.5 billion prescriptions filled annually in the United States, the outcome is more than 3.5 million prescription-dispensing errors and an annual cost of more than $16 billion. Using the performance prism theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies retail pharmacy managers used to increase profit by reducing prescription errors. Using purposeful sampling, 5 retail pharmacy managers in Miami, Florida, were selected as participants because they had implemented strategies to reduce prescription errors. Data were collected using semistructured, face-to-face interviews with 5 pharmacy managers, and company records consisting of quality improvement incident reports, income statements, and balance sheets. Data analysis occurred using methodological triangulation and following Yin's 5-step process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, interpreting, and concluding the data. The 3 emergent themes were prescription error reducing strategy, profitability improvement strategy through reduced prescription errors, and technology strategy for reducing prescription error. The findings indicated that prescription error reducing strategies are essential for pharmacy managers to increase profits. The implications for positive social change include the potential for retail pharmacy managers to reduce the cost of health care in their communities, prevent prescription error-related hospitalizations and deaths, and improve employment conditions and economic activity in their communities.

Zimbabwe's catastrophic economic decline resulted in a high unemployment rate (95%), declining socioeconomic indicators, pharmacy stores' unprofitability and lower sustainability. Profitable pharmacy stores play a fundamental role in ensuring public access to medication. Lack of pharmacy profitability leads to poor healthcare delivery, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. A healthy population is panacea to economic growth and prosperity and enhances human dignity, social cohesion, and the quality of life. In this qualitative, descriptive multicase study design, using Porter's business strategies theory and the Deming process of quality assurance as conceptual frameworks, data from 11 pharmacy stores leaders in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe were collected during interviews with open-ended questions. Participants were assumed to have influence, knowledge, and a personal stake in the pharmacy sector and that their views and experiences could address the research question of lack of pharmacy profitability and sustainability. Data were explored, categorized, and tabulated to assist drawing empirical findings and conclusions that could answer the research question. Using software the data were analyzed and themes such as the centrality of strategy in running profitable pharmacies, customer care, reimbursements by medical insurance firms, the role of the legal and regulatory frameworks on pharmacies, and mergers of single-owner pharmacies emerged. Findings from the results might provide strategies for those in the pharmacy retail sector and individuals who intend to explore the sector. Individuals who read results of the study might be influenced to lobby government on behalf of the sector to relax prohibitive regulations.

The aims of this research were to determine the level of satisfaction with pharmacy services among enrollees of a managed care organization, compare the level of satisfaction between mail pharmacy and traditional pharmacy patrons, and evaluate the relationship between satisfaction with pharmacy services and health status. Data was collected via telephone interviews with 1,362 enrollees of the managed care organization. The overall response rate was 65%. Satisfaction was measured using previously developed items for traditional pharmacy services, and newly developed, parallel items for mail pharmacy services. Scores were calculated for hypothesized multi-item dimensions of satisfaction. Health status was measured using the physical and mental health composite scores of the SF-12 Health Survey. Satisfaction with pharmacy services was compared between patron groups using ANOVA and ANCOVA models. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to evaluate the dimensional structure of satisfaction with pharmacy services and the relationship between satisfaction with pharmacy services and health status. The results indicated that mail pharmacy patrons were more satisfied than traditional pharmacy patrons with their pharmacy services in general, and specifically with the financial aspects and technical quality of those services. When the comparisons were adjusted for general satisfaction with medical care and mental health status, mail pharmacy patrons still had greater levels of general satisfaction with pharmacy services. However, when these covariates were included in the comparison of satisfaction with financial aspects and technical quality of pharmacy services, dimension scores between the two patron groups were not significantly different. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for the multi-item dimensions of satisfaction were in the range of 0.53 to 0.77, with the exception of the Written Information dimension for mail pharmacy service, where the alpha coefficient was 0.37. A positive correlation between the dimension scores for general satisfaction with pharmacy services and general satisfaction with medical care lends support to the construct validity of the measurements. Additionally, it was concluded that, as expected, general satisfaction with pharmacy services was positively correlated with mental health status, but there was no significant relationship between physical health and satisfaction with pharmacy services.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this report is to create a better understanding of the new pharmacy initiatives in the South African market, with specific reference to the Nuclicks and Pick 'n Pay groups. In order to understand the respective business concepts better the following abstracts from each chapter of the study is given. Chapter one is basically the introduction to the study and describes the events that lead to the above mentioned corporate retailers to enter the pharmacy market place. An introduction to Hamel's business model theory is also discussed and identified as a possible means of evaluating the corporate retailers' business concepts. In Chapter two the strategic analysis of the South African retail pharmacy industry is performed. This analysis is performed to create an understanding of the different forces at work in the industry. Some of the key findings in this chapter are that changes to the pharmacy act and the way dispensing licences are going to be awarded creates uncertainty. The profit outlook of retail pharmacy, though on the decline, still compares favourably to other retailers. In chapter three the core concepts of Hamel's business model are presented in more detail and applied to the retail pharmacy environment. In his view, a strategy needs to change the industry rules. This chapter ends with the concept of wealth potential based on Hamel's teachings. The wealth potential concept is about creating cash flow and profits. A business model that is able to create customer benefits well below the cost of the competitors is regarded as efficient. By utilising the Hamel way the Nuclicks (chapter four) and Pick 'n Pay (chapter five) business concepts is unpacked. Both Nuclicks and Pick 'n Pay pharmacy business models are presented within the corporate framework of the groups. Nuclicks bought an established pharmacy franchise while Pick 'n Pay launched Healthpharm. Nuclicks creates a possible choke point by buying UPD. The Nuclicks pharmacy strategy is a more comprehensive health strategy, while Pick 'n Pay follows a more cautious approach. As franchising will playa major role in both pharmacy concepts, the theory of franchising is presented in chapter six. Telephonic interviews with Link franchisees are conducted and the possible reasons for the ambiguity that crept into the Link business model are discussed. As the Healthpharm franchise is a new concept, it is evaluated based on information gathered from press releases and the Healthpharm web-site. In chapter seven universal conclusions and recommendations, based upon the literature study and this investigation, are presented. One of the key findings are, success in the face of changes requires more than the current way of doing business. It requires an innovative thinking process. New business models have to be formulated that allows retail pharmacists to establish a focused and well-differentiated value proposition. This value proposition needs to be meaningful for consumers and must strengthen a pharmacy outlet's competitive position.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie verslag is om 'n beter begrip vir die nuwe apteek inisiatiewe in die Suid-Afrikaanse mark te ontwikkel, met spesifieke verwysing na die Nuclicks en Pick 'n Pay groepe. Om die onderskeie besiqheidskonsepte beter te verstaan, word die volgende opsomming van elke hoofstuk van die studie uiteengesit. Hoofstuk een is 'n inleiding tot die studie en beskryf die gebeure wat aanleiding gegee het tot die bogenoemde korporatiewe kleinhandelaars se toetrede tot die apteek mark. 'n Inleiding van Hamel se besigheidsmodel teorie is ook bespreek en is geïdentifiseer as evaluering van die korporatiewe kleinhandelaars se besigheidskonsepte. Hoofstuk twee bied 'n strategiese analise van die Suid-Afrikaanse kleinhandelaars apteek industrie. Hierdie analise is geskep om beter begrip te ontwikkel vir die verskillende kragte wat inwerk in die industrie. Van die bevindinge in die hoofstuk is die veranderinge in die apteek wetgewing en die wyse waarop resepteer lisensies toegeken gaan word, en hoeveel onsekerhede dit tot gevolg het. Die wins vooruitsigte van kleinhandelaars apteke, alhoewel aan die afneem, vergelyk steeds gunstig met ander kleinhandelaars. In Hoofstuk drie is die kern konsepte van Hamel se besigheidsmodel in meer detail uiteengesit en toegepas op die kleinhandelaar apteek omgewing. Uit sy oogpunt, is 'n strategie nodig om veranderinge te weeg te bring in die industrie reëls. Hierdie hoofstuk eindig met die konsep van waarde potensiaal wat gebaseer is op Hamel se teorie. Hierdie waarde potensiaal konsep is gebaseer op die skep van kontantvloei en 'n Besigheidsmodel wat in staat is om die kliënt te begunstig heelwat laer as die koste van die teenstander, word beskou as effektief. Hamel se teorie is gebruik om Nuclicks (hoofstuk vier) en Pick 'n Pay (hoofstuk vyf) se besigheidskonsepte te analiseer. Beide Nuclicks en Pick 'n Pay se besigheidsmodelle word aangebied binne die korporatiewe raakwerke van die groepe. Nuclicks het 'n gevestigde apteek konsessie gekoop terwyl Pick 'n Pay vir Healthpharm begin het. Nuclicks het 'n moontlike 'wurgpunt" geskep deur die aankoop van UPD. Die Nuclicks apteek strategie is 'n meer omvattende gesondheidstrategie, terwyl Pick 'n Pay 'n meer versigtige benadering volg. Aangesien besigheid konsessie 'n belangrike rol speel in beide apteek konsepte, word die teorie van konsessie in hoofstuk ses behandel. Telefoniese onderhoude is gevoer met Link konsessiehouers en die moontlike redes vir die twyfelagtigheid van die Link besigheidsmodel word bespreek. Aangesien die Healthpharm konsessie 'n nuwe konsep is, word dit geëvalueer op grond van inligting wat versamel is uit die media en die Healthpharm webtuiste. In Hoofstuk sewe word universele afleidings en aanbevelings, gebaseer op die literatuurstudie en die ondersoek, uiteengesit. Een van die hoof bevindings was dat sukses benodig meer as die huidige manier van besigheid doen. Nuwe besigheidsmodelle moet geformuleer word, wat dit vir kleinhandelaar apteke moontlik sal maak om 'n gefokusde en goed gedifferensieerde waarde voorstel tot stand te bring. Hierdie voorstel moet betekenisvol wees vir die verbruiker en moet die apteek kompeterende posisie versterk.

<p> The pace of globalization continues to accelerate, which is demanding new approaches to leadership. One area where global mergers, acquisitions, alliances, and partnerships have become commonplace is in the pharmaceutical industry. This growing globalization has made it significantly more important to understand how culture impacts and influences effective leadership. Outstanding global leadership will continue to be a business imperative for the future. </p><p> This study used a mixed-method approach to identify the characteristics and behaviors that contribute to outstanding global leadership and to recommend methods for developing these characteristics. For the quantitative portion of the study, the GLOBE Research Survey was administered to mid-level leaders in a global pharmaceutical company. The qualitative portion of the study included semi-structured interviews with a smaller set of participants from the original sample group. </p><p> The quantitative survey indicated that the characteristics of integrity, performance-oriented, inspirational, visionary, and decisive strongly contribute to outstanding global leadership. The qualitative interviews supported these findings and offered recommendations on how to develop these characteristics, including the implementation of role models, feedback, coaching, learning environments, and culturally diverse opportunities. </p><p> This study provides preliminary evidence that there are specific characteristics that contribute to outstanding global leadership. The results of this study may be used to contribute to the success of global corporations, specifically in the pharmaceutical industry.</p>

The purpose of this research is to determine the information to be collected for aseptic dispensing in NHS hospitals, and its use for management and business purposes in relation to capacity, demand, performance and efficiency. Mixed methodologies were adopted on an exploratory basis. Qualitative methods included: regular expert input; workshops; out-turn questionnaires; Affinity Analysis; surveys; and structured interviews. Quantitative methods included: activity data surveys; targeted surveys; and Delphi methods. The research systematised the collection and collation of the required data and determined novel ways of analysing and manipulating it to aid decision-making. These were used to evaluate the impact of major capital investment and variations in practices between different parts of the country. A benchmarking approach should be applied in utilising the data and statistical indicators. Nomenclature issues can influence data quality. Therefore clear, unambiguous guidance was developed for data collection. Existing pharmaceutical information systems will be the main sources of the data for the foreseeable future. The research focused on the North West of England, with successful application in the West Midlands. Its transferability to non-NHS and foreign hospitals is inferred, as long as similar operational arrangements apply. The research enables: the measurement of progress towards implementing the Breckenridge (1996) recommendations; the evaluation of performance for aseptic production and usage to inform capacity planning; and the presentation of the degree of collaboration between hospitals. The research addresses the absence of set data for an important hospital support service, and applies relevant lessons from other fields and industries. It enables a systematic approach to capacity planning and performance evaluation, at a time when the contribution of the service to support clinical governance is being fully recognised.

Value based management is a process that can be used to determine a business’s value drivers. It attempts to determine how the drivers link to value creation, and then break down the value drivers into achievable activities that can be pursued by employees. Due to strict medicine pricing regulations in the country, it is becoming increasingly difficult for pharmacy businesses to stay profitable. This study set out to develop a value based management framework that could be used by pharmacy management in order to maximise value creation in the business and help ensure its survival despite the strict pricing regulations. Secondary objectives were to contextualise the term “value based management”, to identify the value drivers in a pharmacy business and to determine the extent to which value based management and its principles are being applied in pharmacies in the North West region of South Africa. The research study began in the literature where the term “value based management” was introduced and a literature study was done to conceptualise the term by investigating why value based management and value creation were important. Value based management metrics, the components of value based management; and key success factors for the implementation of value based management principles were investigated. A further literature study was done to identify possible value drivers in a pharmacy business. An empirical study was conducted among registered pharmacists in the North West region of South Africa. Using the value drivers identified in the literature study as constructs, a questionnaire was designed to explore participants’ level of exposure to (and knowledge of) value based management as well as the extent to which the principles of value based management were being applied at the pharmacy businesses where participants were employed. Analysis of the responses showed the questionnaire to be reliable and valid. The results of the study highlighted that many respondents’ lack knowledge regarding the constructs (value drivers), cost price in the dispensary and cost of wages. Constructs (value drivers) that were better understood included product mix in the front shop and debtors’ control. Constructs (value drivers) that were best managed at the pharmacies where participants were employed, were cost price in the front shop and stock control. Constructs (value drivers) that were not as thoroughly managed were sales growth in the front shop and cost of wages. Conclusions regarding the findings of the research study were presented and recommendations were made. The research study was evaluated opposite the primary and secondary objectives with the conclusion that both were achieved. Finally, recommendations for further research into value based management and the application of its principles in pharmacy businesses were proposed.<br>Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Formulary decision-makers must make choices based upon the safety, efficacy, and projected budgetary impact of medications. Models used to predict cost impacts are rarely assessed to determine how accurately they predict treatment cost changes. The purpose of this research was to assess the ability of a decision analytic based deterministic model and a regression analytic based stochastic model to predict the average diabetes-specific costs incurred by a managed care organization during the 12 month period following the addition of metformin to an HMO formulary. The ability of the stochastic model to predict the average diabetes-related costs and total health care costs was also assessed. The deterministic model, a decision tree, was constructed within an equilibrium framework using literature-based probabilities and internal costs to predict the expected diabetes-specific costs. The estimate of the total diabetes-specific cost impact came within 5% of the actual costs. The model underestimated the diabetes-specific medical costs (predicted was 73% of actual) and overestimated the diabetes-specific pharmacy costs (predicted was 258% of actual). A regression model was constructed using medical and pharmacy claims data to predict the expected diabetes-specific, diabetes-related and total health care costs. The average total cost estimates produced by the total health care cost model were within 7% of the actual average costs incurred. The diabetes-related and diabetes-specific cost models produced estimates that were within 12% and 18% of the actual costs incurred, respectively. The total, diabetes-related, and diabetes-specific average medical costs produced by the regression models were within 6%, 50%, and 46% of the actual costs respectively. The total, diabetes-related, and diabetes-specific average pharmacy costs were within 20%, 45%, and 49% of the actual costs respectively. Further research is needed to determine the best way to construct a model to estimate the economic impact of adding a medication to the formulary. A decision tree constructed with internal data should be used to predict the disease-specific economic impact of adding a medication to the formulary when only medical and pharmacy claims data from the previous year are available. A regression model should be used to predict the total health care cost impact.

Pharmaceutical companies accrued fines of over $30 billion within 25 years because of noncompliance with regulations. Noncompliance with regulations results in fines and an adverse impact on company profitability. Some pharmaceutical company managers lack effective strategies to ensure overall company compliance with regulation. Based on complexity leadership theory, the purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies pharmaceutical company managers used to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in Nigeria. The target population was functional managers purposely selected because they had successfully implemented strategies for compliance with the regulatory requirements in Nigeria. Data were collected through face-to-face and telephone interviews with 4 company managers and from company records, regulatory documents, and websites. Analysis of data involved using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis tools and content analysis to code and identify patterns and themes. Findings revealed 3 prominent themes: establishment of regulatory affairs unit and engaged leadership; hiring of qualified of employees, training, and continuous learning; and strategies to navigate through barriers to enhance regulatory compliance. The implications for positive social change lie in the availability of affordable pharmaceutical products with implications for the overall health of communities. Compliance with regulatory requirements helps to ensure that pharmaceutical companies develop high quality and safe products, which are critical in healthcare leading to the prevention and cure of diseases, which will ultimately improve and save people's lives.

<p>One of Sweden’s most well known monopolies is approaching its end, Apoteket AB. A re-regulation of a state owned monopoly is nothing new but it happens within an interesting trade. Since the government is in total control of the whole re-regulation process, we found it interesting to see how they managed to include the potential individuals who want to take over a pharmacy. After all, many are the times the government has emphasized the importance of small firms.</p><p>Out of the approximately 900 pharmacies owned by Apoteket AB, 150 are going to be sold to individuals. This group is called “small enterprise cluster”, and this cluster became the focus of our thesis. We wanted to get an insight into this group, since it is more complex and diverse compared to the large corporations entering the market.</p><p><strong>Purpose</strong></p><p>The purpose of this thesis is to measure the willingness to take over pharmacies among the employees of Apoteket AB, as well as to analyse how the government's support has affected the decisions of individuals.</p><p><strong>Method</strong></p><p>In order to get a good view of the re-regulation process we chose a qualitative approach, where we performed personal interviews with 6 respondents equally spread out on 3 pharmacies in a medium sized Swedish city and the surrounding area. The interviews where performed in a semi-structured manner.</p><p>Besides the primary data, secondary data was collected. It builds the foundation for the theoretical framework and the analysis of the interviews. Since the theoretical framework was created before the research was performed, the study used a deductive research approach.</p>

Indian pharmaceutical companies spend one-third of their revenue from supply chain management (SCM) activities due to inherently poor transportation infrastructure. SCM is a vital function for many companies, as it is usually employed to lower expenses and increase sales for the company. SCM costs are higher in India than they are in other areas of the world, amounting to 13% of India's GDP. The purpose of this study was to explore SCM strategies Indian business leaders in the pharmaceutical industry have used to reduce the high costs associated with SCM. This study used a single case study research design and semistructured interviews to collect data from 3 SCM business leaders working in Indian pharmaceutical organizations and possessing successful experience in using SCM strategies to reduce high costs. Goldratt's (1990) theory of constraints was used as the conceptual framework for this study to identify challenges associated with SCM strategies. Data from semistructured interviews, observations, and company documents were processed and analyzed using data source triangulation, grouping the raw data into key themes. The following 3 themes emerged: distribution and logistics challenges, impact of SCM processes, and best practices and solutions. The implications for positive social change include the potential to reduce supply chain risk, which could lead to lower product prices for consumers, increased stakeholder satisfaction, and a higher standard of living.

South Africa is currently grappling with amendments to a number of laws relating to the supply of drugs. One of these amendments removes the requirement that only a pharmacist may own an interest in a retail pharmacy. While this may be opposed by retail pharmacists, the question is really: Will this measure benefit consumers by improving the access to drugs by bringing to this sector a measure of competition and hence reduced prices or will this measure reduce the quality of pharmaceutical care for consumers due to a lack of a relationship based on trust? The emergence of brands such as HealthPharm (Pick 'n Pay), Purchase Milton & Associates- PM&A (New Clicks), and the Checkers (Shoprite Group of Companies) are becoming increasingly popular among consumers (Andy Gray, 1997). This study investigates the impact of these changes on the consumer receiving affordable quality pharmaceutical care. It aims to establish a relationship between consumers and their pharmacist that is based on trust. Quantitative analysis of consumers and pharmacists revealed that there is a relationship based on trust between these parties. Statistical analysis of these samples also reveal a consumer trend suggesting that consumers and pharmacists require a relationship based on trust to achieve the goals of pharmaceutical care. Open ownership of pharmacies will not provide the consumer with an opportunity to develop this relationship with their pharmacist and thus reduce the quality of pharmaceutical care received.<br>Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

In South Africa, the small business sector has been identified as a sector that is not performing optimally. In a turbulent environment, this type of small business profile is magnified. Therefore, it is important to examine mechanisms through which the performance of this sector can be enhanced. Dynamic capabilities have emerged as a strategic tool of the highest order in terms of firm management and strengthening these capabilities is a key concern for firms that operate in a turbulent environment. Dynamic capabilities are described as the processes required to reconfigure existing resources into new functional competencies. Therefore, this study investigated the strategic processes of small businesses and developed a new strategic model and theory to illustrate and elucidate intervention mechanisms and strategies to strengthen the dynamic capabilities of these small businesses. Methodology: The retail community pharmacy sector was chosen as a model sector for this study since it is a sector that comprises mainly of small businesses and it is currently experiencing environmental turbulence. The methodology followed an initial exploratory, qualitative approach followed by a formal, empirical, quantitative approach. The research questionnaire was derived after ensuring that content validity, criterion related validity, construct validity and reliability criteria were met. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of 477 out of a population of 2549 small businesses in the retail community pharmacy sector, using an unrestricted, simple, random, probability sampling approach. As a consequence of having received 130 completed questionnaires, the results obtained in this study were expressed at the 95% confidence level with a confidence interval of 0.08. Results and Discussion: From a gap analysis of the level of importance of dynamic capabilities and their extent of implementation, seven dynamic capabilities whose implementation can be enhanced by an alteration of the management importance perception of them, were extracted. These capabilities revolve around staff reward, well-being, empowerment and education and training, as well as the abilities of the small business leadership to sense the environment and opportunities while being sensitive to stakeholder needs. Through a consolidation of the results of the gap analysis, a model for the initiation and the sustaining of innovative resource reconfigurations was developed. Conclusion: For the management practice setting, this study�s findings suggest that the dynamic capabilities of small firms operating in a turbulent environment can be enhanced and strengthened by the employment of the model developed by this study. From a management education perspective, this study�s findings also suggest that the employment of specific and focussed management education that revolves around the seven identified processes will enable not only the initiating phase of the proposed model but will also provide a multiplier effect in the model since management capability is also part of the general resource base of the firm. This study thus proposes the use of these management practice and educational approaches to strengthen and enhance the dynamic capabilities of small businesses operating in a turbulent environment.<br>Graduate School of Business Leadership<br>D. BL.

Com a crescente regulamentação, nacional e comunitária, no sector farmacêutico e a generalização de medicamentos genéricos, bem como as pressões externas e internas que o país atravessa, é cada vez mais reduzida a margem de lucro neste sector, pondo em causa a sustentabilidade de algumas farmácias, pelo existe, actualmente, a necessidade de repensar e dinamizar esta área de negócio. É desta forma que a área de Business Intelligence pode apresentar novos mecanismos de forma a trazer mais-valias para as empresas na generalidade, assim como para este tipo de negócios, que apesar de apresentarem características de natureza muito específica, visam igualmente o lucro e a satisfação dos seus públicos-alvo, nomeadamente os utentes. Assim, este trabalho visa utilizar uma abordagem de Data Mining, pretendendo-se a partir de um conjunto de dados extrair conhecimento válido e útil no sentido de apoiar a gestão e controlo de stocks de medicamentos, produtos de saúde e outros produtos e serviços comercializados numa farmácia comunitária. Esta dissertação versa sobre um estudo de caso de uma farmácia comunitária, com instalações em território nacional, tendo como base a análise de séries temporais, com periodicidade mensal e semanal, de uma selecção de três produtos, nomeadamente através das vendas realizadas entre o período de 2003 e 2012. Do trabalho realizado resulta a comparação entre dois métodos populares de previsão: o alisamento exponencial (incluindo múltiplas das suas variantes) e a metodologia ARIMA, também conhecida por método de Box- Jenkins. Pretende-se, assim, determinar qual o método que melhor se adapta à previsão deste tipo de produtos farmacêuticos, com o intuito de melhor apoiar na tomada de decisões redireccionando assim esforços para uma melhor gestão e controlo de stocks. Embora existisse a intenção original de exploração de um número mais alargado de métodos de previsão (e.g., Redes Neuronais e Máquinas de Vectores de Suporte), tal não foi possível devido a limitações temporais, deixando-se essa análise para trabalho futuro.<br>With increasing regulation in the pharmaceutical area, at national and community level, and due to the generalization of generic drugs and also increase of economic pressures that the Portuguese country is facing, the profit is shrinking in this area, jeopardizing the sustainability of some pharmacies. Thus, there is a current need to rethink and optimize the pharmaceutical business. One way is to use Business Intelligence technologies, which can provide new mechanisms in order to bring added value to businesses in general, and also for this type of business, which despite showing some characteristics of a very specific nature, also aimed profit and the satisfaction of final consumers. In particular, this study aims to use a Data Mining approach, by extracting useful and valid knowledge from raw pharmaceutial data, in order to support stock management and control of drugs, health products and other products and services sold in a pharmacy. This dissertation focus on a case-study about a Portuguese pharmacy, by analyzing time series of a selection of three products, through sales between the period 2003 and 2012, with monthly and weekly frequency. From this research, results the comparison between two popular forecasting methods: exponential smoothing (including several of its variants) and the ARIMA methodology, also known as Box-Jenkins method. It is also intended to determine which method best fits the prediction of this kind of products, in order to better support decision making and to redirect efforts for better management and stock control. While we intended to also explore more forecasting methods (e.g. Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines), it was not possible to test such methods due to time restrictions. Nevertheless, we intend to experiment such methods in future work.

Dissertação sobre o estudo das alterações do modelo de gestão em farmácias comunitárias individualizadas e em farmácias que aderiram a grupos e cuja gestão passou a ser integrada – Modelo de Gestão Clássica versus Novos Modelos de Gestão, decorrentes das condicionantes introduzidas no negócio por novas políticas de saúde com introdução de reformas na Prescrição e Dispensa do Medicamento. A redução das margens foi um dos fatores mais relevantes. As farmácias organizaram-se em grupos. O objetivo inicial era ganhar poder negocial. Mais tarde os grupos estimularam as farmácias a modificar o modelo de gestão. Neste contexto é determinante entender qual o impacto das alterações na gestão e no modelo de gestão em farmácias comunitárias individualizadas e em farmácias integradas. O objetivo geral é analisar os Modelos de Gestão de farmácias individualizadas, e que têm ajustado as estratégias de modo a garantir a sustentabilidade e vantagem competitiva, e comparar os modelos de gestão adotados pelas farmácias comunitárias com gestão integrada. A mais-valia da farmácia individualizada é a capacidade de estabelecer as estratégias que considera mais adequada à sua farmácia, e estabelecer objetivos de forma a garantir a sua sustentabilidade. A maior desvantagem é que o seu poder negocial perante os fornecedores pode não ser suficiente para conseguir as parcerias mais vantajosas. As mais-valias obtidas pelas farmácias comunitárias integradas são o acesso a um maior leque de produtos a custos inferior, formação qualificada para os seus trabalhadores, acesso a planos de marketing e merchadising. As desvantagens são a perda de alguma autonomia.<br>Dissertation on the study of changes in the management model in individualized pharmacies and pharmacies that joined groups and whose management became integrated - Model of Classic Management versus New Management Models, arising from the constraints introduced in the business by new health policies with the introduction of reforms in the prescription and dispensation of the medication. Reducing margins was one of the most relevant factors. The pharmacies were organized in groups. The initial goal was to gain bargaining power. Later the groups encouraged pharmacies to change their management model. In this context it is crucial to understand the impact that the changes have on the management and management model in individualized community pharmacies and integrated pharmacies. The general objective is to analyse the Management Models of individualized pharmacies, which have adjusted the strategies to ensure sustainability and competitive advantage, and to compare the management models adopted by community pharmacies with integrated management. The added value of the individualized pharmacy is the ability to establish the strategies that you consider most appropriate to your pharmacy, and set goals to ensure their sustainability. The biggest disadvantage is that their bargaining power with suppliers may not be sufficient to achieve the most advantageous partnerships. The added value of integrated community pharmacies is access to a greater range of products at lower costs, qualified training for their workers, access to marketing plans and merchandising. The disadvantages are the loss of some autonomy.