Value Chain Optimization in the Costa Rican Medical Device Industry: Strategies for International Competitiveness

The study “Value Chain Optimization in the Costa Rican Medical Device Industry” examines the optimization of value chains in Costa Rica’s medical device industry to enhance international competitiveness. It emphasizes the significance of evaluating and refining value chain activities within companies to strengthen human talent, foster innovation, and improve operational efficiency. Utilizing exploratory and documentary research methods, the study integrates theoretical perspectives with practical industry insights, drawing on academic literature and reports from global organizations such as the World Bank. Key findings highlight the importance of strategic public policies, value chain mapping techniques, and digital transformation in improving supply chain resilience. The research also identifies emerging trends and industry megatrends through expert discussions, providing a comprehensive framework for future development. The results underscore the role of local supplier integration, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business practices in positioning Costa Rica as a leading hub for medical device manufacturing. These strategies are crucial for maintaining long-term global competitiveness in the sector. Received: 23 November 2024 | Revised: 27 February 2025 | Accepted: 7 August 2025 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement Data are available on request from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Author Contribution Statement Johan Rojas: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Project administration. Karen Carranza: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Visualization. María de los Ángeles Campos: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Resources, Writing – original draft.