Supply chain management in SMEs: development of constructs and propositions

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on supply chain management (SCM) practices in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and outlines the key insights.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a literature‐based research that has sought understand the issues of SCM for SMEs. The methodology is based on critical review of 77 research papers from high‐quality, international refereed journals. Mainly, issues are explored under three categories – supply chain integration, strategy and planning and implementation. This has supported the development of key constructs and propositions.

Findings

The research outcomes are three fold. Firstly, paper summarizes the reported literature and classifies it based on their nature of work and contributions. Second, paper demonstrates the overall approach towards the development of constructs, research questions, and investigative questions leading to key proposition for the further research. Lastly, paper outlines the key findings and insights gained.

Practical implications

Survival of SMEs will be determined first and foremost by their ability to provide/produce more, at less cost, in less time, with few “defects”. The key to this is effective SCM. The issue is much explored in the context of large enterprises but less attention is paid to SMEs. Paper aims to surface out some facts for the same. Originality/value The paper reports‐classifies the literature and development of construct and propositions.

Citation

Thakkar, J., Kanda, A. and Deshmukh, S.G. (2008), "Supply chain management in SMEs: development of constructs and propositions", Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 97-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/13555850810844896