scholarly journals E-procurement, supplier integration and supply chain performance in small and medium enterprises in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerimiah Madzimure ◽  
Chengedzai Mafini ◽  
Manillal Dhurup
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Madzimure

Background: As the South African economy continues to grow, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a potential source for employment creation and productivity within the country has become widely acknowledged. However, one area in which the SMEs in the country still need to develop is in their implementation of supply chain management practices, particularly their relationships with suppliers, which could result in either the failure or success of any business enterprise. Majority of studies conducted in this area have focussed on large firms, thereby creating a research gap in this area.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of supplier integration on supply chain performance in South African SMEs.Setting: This study was conducted in Gauteng province of South Africa.Methods: A quantitative research methodology was employed in this study. A convenient sample comprising 283 owners and managers from SMEs drawn from the Gauteng Province was used in the study. The collected data were then analysed using Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis.Results: Positive correlations were found between supplier integration and both the tangible and intangible sub-dimensions of supply chain performance. Supplier integration also predicted both the tangible and intangible sub-dimensions of supply chain performance.Conclusion: These results imply that to improve the performance of their supply chains, it is imperative for SMEs to ensure that linkages with their suppliers are properly aligned for improved coordination, which leads to better relationships and supply of materials. This study contributes to the literature by proposing and testing the influence of supplier integration on supply chain performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 165-175
Author(s):  
Phathutshedzo David Lavhelani ◽  
Osayuwamen Omoruyi ◽  
Elizabeth Chinomona

The objective of the study is to investigate dynamic capabilities, service quality and relationship longevity as determinates of supply chain performance in small to medium enterprises in Gauteng province by focusing on small and medium enterprises in the Vaal region. The study will contribute to the body of knowledge by addressing dynamic capabilities as determinates of supply chain performance in small to medium enterprises. The study employs a quantitative method of data collection. Permission was sought from SME owners. Once permission was granted, the questionnaires were sent out to SME owners. A total 425 participates were chosen to participate in this study. The researcher used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 24.0) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS 24.0) to analyse the data. Sample data from SME owners/managersof Vaal region was collected for the final data analysis of this project. The sample data were analysed by performing a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The principal finding of this study reveals that dynamic capabilities, relationship longevity and service quality have an impact on supply chain performance. The conclusions and implications of the research findings are provided and recommendations are suggested. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S76-S95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixin Shen ◽  
Kannan Govindan ◽  
Atul B. Borade ◽  
Ali Diabat ◽  
Devika Kannan

Vendor managed inventory has proven to be an effective tool for improving the supply chain performance by decreasing inventory-related costs and increasing customer service. It is quite evident from the literature that vendor managed inventory (VMI) has been successfully implemented in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). However, studies related to the implementation of VMI in Indian SMEs are very limited. Therefore, this study presents an empirical investigation of VMI practices in Indian SMEs using survey methodology. The paper evaluates the benefits, barriers, and effects of adopting VMI in Indian SMEs, and also investigates the IT tools and software used for VMI adoption. Furthermore, this study explores the dissimilarities among various sectors of SMEs adopting VMI. Based on the proposed methodology, it is found that organizational issues and unwillingness to share information are the major barriers. In terms of benefits, the major influencing variables are improved efficiency and improved channel relations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Phathutshedzo David Lavhelani ◽  
Osayuwamen Omoruyi ◽  
Elizabeth Chinomona

The objective of the study is to investigate dynamic capabilities, service quality and relationship longevity as determinates of supply chain performance in small to medium enterprises in Gauteng province by focusing on small and medium enterprises in the Vaal region. The study will contribute to the body of knowledge by addressing dynamic capabilities as determinates of supply chain performance in small to medium enterprises. The study employs a quantitative method of data collection. Permission was sought from SME owners. Once permission was granted, the questionnaires were sent out to SME owners. A total 425 participates were chosen to participate in this study. The researcher used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 24.0) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS 24.0) to analyse the data. Sample data from SME owners/managersof Vaal region was collected for the final data analysis of this project. The sample data were analysed by performing a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The principal finding of this study reveals that dynamic capabilities, relationship longevity and service quality have an impact on supply chain performance. The conclusions and implications of the research findings are provided and recommendations are suggested. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (04) ◽  
pp. 781-797
Author(s):  
Nejah Ben Mabrouk

The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical approach of prioritizing the most critical success factors influencing the supply chain performance in SMEs by using an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach. The MICMAC analysis has been also considered for identifying the factors having a high influential power. Our findings show that, on the one hand, the production system, flexibility, communication and planning tools, process strategy, environmental uncertainty and innovation are the major factors influencing the supply chain performance. On the other hand, relationships with customers and suppliers, marketing and quality are seen as unfavorable outcomes to the supply chain managers and practitioners. These findings may help the policy makers, managers, and practitioners in formulating the strategies and policies for implementation of effectiveness supply chain.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Lu ◽  
Jinliang Chen ◽  
Hua Song ◽  
Xiangyu Zhou

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how cloud computing assimilation reduces supply chain financing (SCF) risks of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study also investigated the mediating roles of internal and external supply chain integration between cloud computing assimilation and the SCF risks of SMEs, as well as the moderating role of environmental competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from surveys of SMEs located in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to validate the proposed theoretical model and research hypotheses. Findings The findings show that cloud computing assimilation could reduce the SCF risks of SMEs directly. The results also indicate that both internal and external supply chain integration mediate the relationship between cloud computing assimilation and SCF risks. Furthermore, environmental competitiveness inhibits the effects of cloud computing assimilation on SCF risks. Originality/value To our best knowledge, this is the preliminary study to explore the role of cloud computing assimilation in reducing the SCF risks of SMEs. Also, this study attempted to investigate the process by which cloud computing assimilation affects the SCF risks of SMEs.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anurodhsingh Khanuja ◽  
Rajesh Kumar Jain

PurposeSupply chain integration (SCI) and flexibility (SCF) are recognised as crucial business practices and capability in the global competitive market. However, limited research has paid attention to study the relationship between SCI, SCF and their impact on supply chain performance (SCP). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to establish a relationship between integration, flexibility and performance.Design/methodology/approachThe structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the 187 data collected from Indian organisations through the survey methodology.FindingsFindings indicate that external integration contributes significantly to realise SCF and SCP. Sourcing and logistics flexibility also help to improve the SCP. The mediation analysis showed that the association of customer and supplier integration with SCP is partially and fully mediated by logistics flexibility, respectively. This study suggests that integration influences the SCP when the firm has a strong association with downstream partners and enough capability for logistics flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has collected cross-sectional data to analyse the relationship between SCI, SCF and SCP. However, as integration requires an effort of the years, longitudinal data and industry-specific studies may provide comprehensive views to validate the results of this study.Originality/valueBuilding on relational view theory and dynamic capability theory, the study has proposed the SCP assessment framework based on the relationship between SCI and SCF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansa Savad Salim ◽  
M. M. Sulphey

The aim of this study is to determine the influencing factors of Supply Chain Management and digitalization of human resource information practices in the small and medium enterprises of Oman. Digitalization of human resource information is the adoption of electronic means to the human resource activities of Supply Chain Management. In this system, the whole human resource activities are implemented through electronic means with the support of information technology (IT) infrastructure. To measure the Digitalizationof Human Resource Information Practices and the performance level of Supply Chain Management, two adopted constructs from two different studies were used. The study samples were taken from the SMEs of Oman. Almost 180 employees of different provinces responded to the questionnaires translated into vernacular language through google forms and a few hardcopy surveys were distributed to different locations with the support of SMEs and few entrepreneurs. The study found a significant positive relationship between the Performance of SCM and the Digitalization of Human Resource Information of a prominent variable electronic communication and other variables were found with no significant relationship. The finding of the study acts as a significant contributor to the existing literature on SCM as well as human resource management.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampy Kamboj ◽  
Shruti Rana

PurposeThe main objective of this paper is to study the role of supply chain performance (SCP) as a mediator between big data-driven supply chain (BDDSC) and firm sustainable performance. In addition, the role of firm age as a moderator between BDDSC and SCP as well as between SCP and firm sustainable performance has also been explored.Design/methodology/approachThe 200 managers of medium or senior level positions in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) located at Delhi-NCR have been contacted. Further, collected data have been confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In this paper, structure equation modeling (SEM) has been employed to empirically check the proposed hypotheses and their relationships.FindingsThe findings confirmed that SCP mediates the link between BDDSC and firm sustainable performance. Additionally, firm age moderates the association between BDDSC and SCP as well as between SCP and firm sustainable performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe role of SCP and firm age between BDDSC and sustainable performance have been examined in the context of MSMEs in Delhi-NCR and thereby limit the generalization of results to other industries and country contexts.Originality/valueThe present study adds to the existing literature via recognizing the blackbox using SCP and firm age to comprehend BDDSC and firm sustainable performance relationship.


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