The Influence of Trust on Supply Development, Knowledge Creation and Supply Chain Performance: A Case of Selected Provincial Hospitals, Suppliers of Medical Equipment and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

The South African (SA) primary healthcare sector, though crucial to the economy, grapples with persistently high stock-outs of essential medicines and equipment, attributed to Supply Chain (SC) inefficiencies such as delayed deliveries and inadequate quantities from suppliers. This study examined how trust affects Supplier Development (SD), Knowledge Creation (KC), and Supply Chain Performance (SCP) in the SA healthcare sector. Quantitative data from 310 respondents, including SC managers (78), SME owners (217), and medical suppliers (15), were analysed using descriptive and regression analysis in IBM SPSS 25. Key results indicated an insignificant influence of trust on SCP, but a positive and significant influence on SD and KC. Moreover, KC positively influenced SCP and SD, while SD also positively influenced SCP. The study addressed gaps in the literature and offered insights for policymakers to enhance supplier development, trust and knowledge creation for improved supply chain performance in the healthcare sector.