The Role of Financial Management in Sustaining Competitive Advantage in Medical Devices Distributing Companies: The Case of Jordan

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a conceptual framework for transforming financial management from a traditional support function into a strategic driver of sustainable competitive advantage, particularly within the medical device distribution case company in Jordan. It examines three financial management disciplines—traditional, strategic, and behavioural—and explores two competitive strategies: imitation and innovation. Four research questions guide the study, addressing the current role of financial management, operationalisation factors, organisational factors, and transformation attributes into a strategic role. The methodology adopted is a mixed-methods approach, combining a case study with the Delphi technique. The selected company operates as a market leader in Jordan and is part of a broader regional group. Data collection was conducted in two rounds: semi-structured interviews were followed by a Fuzzy Delphi survey. Thematic analysis (NVivo) and descriptive statistics were used to analyse findings. The findings identify four dimensions of the current role that helped maintain a competitive advantage in the past, seven factors of financial management necessary to operationalise sustainable competitive advantage in the future, seven organisational factors supporting financial management's contribution to competitive advantage, and six transformation attributes outlining the transforming role of financial management in sustainable competitive advantage. The study contributes theoretically by extending the resource-based view and behavioural finance within a non-Western context. Methodologically, it refines the Delphi technique, applies fuzzy logic, and offers a hybrid case study framework for emerging markets. Practically, it informs financial leaders, managers, and policymakers on aligning finance with strategy to improve competitiveness in healthcare distribution. Limitations include the geographical scope and the breadth of participants. Future research should adopt longitudinal and cross-regional studies using quantitative modelling.