DOCTORAL PROMOTION EXAMINATION (OPEN DEFENSE)
DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF PHARMACY, UNIVERSITAS SUMATERA UTARA
Candidate:
IMELDA FERENDINA
“Conceptual Model and Optimization for Building a Sustainable Pharmacy Business”
Chair of the Session:
Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Z. Hasibuan, M.Si., Apt.
(Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Alumni, USU)
Supervisory Committee:
Prof. Khairunnisa, S.Si., M.Pharm., Ph.D., Apt. (Promoter)
Dr. Aminah Dalimunthe, S.Si., M.Si., Apt. (Co-Promoter)
Prof. Yuandani, S.Farm., M.Si., Ph.D., Apt. (Co-Promoter)
External Examiners:
Prof. Dr. Yeni Absah, SE., M.Si. (Examiner)
Dr. apt. Sahat Saragi, M.Si. (Examiner)
Dr. apt. Dadang Irfan Husori, M.Sc. (Examiner)
📅 Day/Date:
Thursday, April 23, 2026
🕒 Time:
14:00 WIB – onwards
📍 Venue:
IMT-GT Room, 2nd Floor, BPA Building, USU
Brief Description of the Dissertation:
The sustainability of pharmacy businesses has become an increasingly relevant strategic challenge amid growing regulatory complexity, industry competition, and shifting consumer behavior. However, research on sustainability models in pharmacy businesses remains limited and has not yet comprehensively integrated multidimensional approaches.
This study aims to develop a conceptual model for pharmacy business sustainability based on six key pillars: human resources (HR), operations, marketing, finance, risk management, and SWOT analysis. Using a mixed-method sequential explanatory design, the questionnaire instrument was developed through expert validation (I-CVI ≥ 0.80) and tested on 400 pharmacist-owners. Quantitative data were analyzed using regression and path analysis (SmartPLS), while qualitative data were examined thematically (NVivo) through in-depth interviews with experts and pharmacy owners.
The results indicate that all key aspects significantly influence economic, social, environmental, and innovation sustainability. Human resources and operations emerged as dominant factors determining the stability and competitiveness of pharmacy businesses. Qualitative findings confirm that the inability to retain competent human resources, operational inefficiencies, weak financial governance, and the absence of systematic risk management are the primary causes of sustainability failure.
The integration of both approaches resulted in a robust conceptual model that can serve as a strategic framework for decision-making in pharmacy businesses and enhance their competitiveness within the community. This research contributes theoretically through the development of a measurable sustainability model and offers practical contributions for pharmacists, managers, and policymakers in formulating adaptive and sustainable pharmacy business strategies.
