| Abstract [eng] |
This Master's thesis' primary objective is to investigate how return and recycling programs impact pharmacies loyalty towards suppliers. Additionally, the research explores to determine influence of such programs on the decision towards future cooperation with the supplier. The Master thesis structurally consists of three main parts; a literature review, the methodology for the research and research itself with interpretation of the results, as well with conclusions and recommendations. A literature review examines the state of return and recycling infrastructure in the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry, existing research on relationships between pharmacies and suppliers, and factors that influence loyalty between them. Based on the data gathered from the literature review, the researcher identified the research gap and developed hypotheses. A Likert scale-style questionnaire has been developed to conduct a survey. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for every item was higher than 0.7, which verified the reliability. Through the collection of 295 respondent answers and the follow-up processing of them with the SPSS software, the author received comprehensive answers to the researched questions. In addition to that, data was gathered regarding the respondents' demographic diversity. The results of the research were in favor of previously developed hypotheses. They revealed a significant effect of such programs on pharmacy loyalty levels towards the supplier, the importance of collaboration effort between them. Further, it was determined that the impact of return and recycling programs on the decision-making process of pharmacies regarding supplier swishing and future cooperation with them. After interpretation of these results, a proposal was drawn up for suppliers, the purpose of which is to convince suppliers of the importance of using these programs and also provide assistance in developing a strategy for introducing such programs into their work. According to the author, the results of these studies can be a good starting point for further, more extensive, and in-depth research into the impact of return and recycling programs on pharmacies’ loyalty to their suppliers. The author expresses hope that the relevance of this topic as well as the uniqueness of the research conditions will encourage future researchers to continue research in this direction. |
