Risk Factors Analysis in Blood Supply Chain: A Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Approach

The blood supply chain (BSC) is a critical component of healthcare systems, where efficiency and reliability are paramount to ensuring timely and safe delivery of blood products to patients in need. Risk factors as the factors that directly affect the BSC could be considered permanently to ensure BSC’s productivity. So, understanding and managing these risks is vital for ensuring a robust and resilient blood supply chain. This research employs the Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) approach to identify and analyze key risk factors affecting the blood supply chain. The required data was gathered using pairwise comparison questionnaire from 10 experts of the regional office of the Blood Transfusion Organization in Tehran province. By mapping the complex interrelationships between various risks, the study reveals that "Delays in Allocation and Distribution," "Disruptions in Logistics Processes," and "Blood Shortages" are among the most influential factors, with significant implications for the overall performance of the supply chain. The analysis also highlights the importance of "Weak Collaboration" and "Insufficient Capacity," which exacerbate operational inefficiencies. The findings suggest that addressing these risks through enhanced collaboration, capacity building, and the integration of advanced technologies can substantially improve the resilience and effectiveness of blood supply chains. Furthermore, the study offers strategic recommendations and suggests avenues for future research,