Identification and prioritization of barriers to the implementation of an asset management system in the healthcare sector using a Delphi-AHP approach

Purpose An effective asset management system (AMS) is essential for healthcare organizations looking to maximize value and performance while minimizing risk and cost. This study aims to identify and evaluate the barriers to AMS adoption and evaluate them from a healthcare perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a combination of the Delphi method and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with 30 participants from various Slovenian healthcare organizations. Through iterative consensus and prioritization, the Delphi-AHP process resulted in 23 validated barriers, ranked according to their perceived importance for AMS implementation. Findings The results identified key barriers to implementing AMS in healthcare organizations and categorized them into five dimensions: strategic, human resources, contextual, structural and procedural. The highest-ranked barriers were deficient leadership, a shortage of qualified personnel and workforce overload. This indicates that strategic alignment and organizational capacity are perceived as the most critical obstacles to adopting AMS. Originality/value This study advances the existing literature by addressing a critical gap and providing deeper insight into the factors that impede the successful implementation of AMS in healthcare settings, a domain where empirical evidence remains limited.