Strategy development by Indian SMEs for improving coordination in supply chain

. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in encouraging economic growth of West Java. However, the contribution of SMEs is still small due to the lack of competitiveness of SME products. Competitiveness and weak SME performance can be enhanced by supply chain management and quality management practices. This study focuses on supply chain management and quality management practices that are mutually casual, competitive advantage and firm performance and the role of moderation of company age in SMEs in West Java. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of supply chain management and quality management practices on competitive advantage either partially or simultaneously and its impact on firm performance, and how the role of moderating variable company's age in moderating the relationship between competitive advantage and firm performance. The unit of analysis in this study is the Small and Medium Enterprises business located in West Java region with a sample size of 200 business units. To test the model of the research empirically tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the help of LISREL 8.70. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of supply chain management and quality management are done simultaneously provide a great impact for increasing competitive advantage as well as firm performance. The role of corporate age moderation is very small in strengthening the relationship between competitive advantages with firm performance on SMEs in West Java.

Purpose This study aims to assess the AI preparedness of Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and its impact on social sustainability. This study used a technology–organization–environment-based proposed framework; it explores how technical, organizational and environmental readiness influences ethical practices and social goals. This research investigates whether ethical AI mediates AI readiness and SS in Indian SMEs. Design/methodology/approach The data, using a structure survey, collected from 739 respondents serving SMEs in eight Indian states was used. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect data on all the constructs. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the theoretical model. Descriptive statistics, reliability and discriminant validity were performed to ensure an effective measurement model. This provided a basis for analysis of direct effects and mediating effects of AI-driven ethical and sustainable business practices. Findings The research revealed positive relationships between AI readiness and social sustainability (β = 0.43) and AI readiness and business ethics (β = 0.51). In addition, business ethics had a strong positive direct effect on social sustainability (β = 0.47). Importantly, business ethics is also an important mediator between AI readiness and social sustainability (indirect effect β = 0.24). Furthermore, it is reflected that ethical integration is important for AI to achieve socially sustainable outcomes. The SMEs are much better prepared to use AI responsibly and inclusively to benefit the stakeholders if they are more digitally and culturally prepared. Research limitations/implications This study is a cross-sectional design that limits the causal inference. Though the responses were taken from the executives of SMEs in eight Indian states, they may have sectoral and regional imbalances. Also, the responses could have personal biases, as respondents may have been influenced by social desirability. Despite these constraints, the research adds to the literature on AI readiness, social sustainability, and the mediating role of ethics. It also highlights avenues for future research, including a longitudinal study on the SMEs and their AI readiness, regional comparisons of SMEs and integration of governing regulations with ethical AI policies in SMEs. Practical implications This research suggests that the SME management must invest in digital tools and promote ethical culture for successful AI use. Ethical auditing may be done by SMEs alongside people analytics to use ethical AI for enterprise social causes. Policymakers can complement initiatives such as IndiaAI and the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report requirements by including ethical AI training in the SMEs. The responsible adoption of AI can enhance both trust and employee engagement and can potentially improve CSR outcomes. Originality/value The research articulates an “AI-readiness-ethics-sustainability framework” to study AI preparedness and social sustainability in Indian SMEs. Majorly, the literature review reflects the work of researchers on the technical or economic impacts of AI. This study not only explores the technological, organizational and environmental preparedness but also records the mediating effect of ethics on AI readiness of SMEs on social sustainability and advocates that ethically engaged AI can foster efficiency and influence inclusive and sustainable development.

Background: The demand for higher education in South Africa continues to increase, placing pressure on public higher education institutions to satisfy this demand. Supply chain management is one of the practices that may be implemented to ensure that public universities improve their operations and can, therefore, meet the increased demand for higher education in the country.Objectives: This study aimed to explore the barriers to the implementation of supply chain management practices at a South African public university.Method: The study used a qualitative case study approach using a sample of 17 members of management and staff at a South African traditional university in the Limpopo Province. Data were collected using a combination of a focus group discussion and semi-structured in-depth interviews.Results: The study generated eight themes that embody the barriers to the implementation of supply chain management at the institution. These themes were labelled as stakeholder buy-in, knowledge of supply chain management, supply chain systems and processes, procurement policy and practices, implementation of supply chain management, stakeholder change management, human resource management and organisational culture.Conclusion: Various internal barriers impair the implementation of supply chain management practices at the institution. Administration at the institution has invested limited resources, time and initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of supply chain management. The focus should be directed to finding lasting solutions to each of the barriers identified in this study. Further studies should address the issue of external barriers to supply chain management in public higher education institutions.

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide a social network‐based model for improving knowledge management in multi‐level supply chains formed by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThis approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is also presented.FindingsThis proposal improves the establishment of inter‐organizational relationships into networks to exchange knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and to create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation.Originality/valueThis proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better understanding of knowledge management processes, particularly for supply chains formed by SMEs.

The purpose of this paper is to do a comprehensive analysis of Cloud based Big Data challenges and opportunity for SMEs in India. Big Data (BD) are big buzz words, and many large enterprises are making significant advances in their product development, customer relations, and increasing profitability by targeting specific customers. Therefore, it has generated interest for both the academic and industry world as it has the potential to enhance the decision making process by providing valuable insights. The large organisations are benefiting from using BD as a tool to gain a competitive edge over rivals by driving new revenue streams and improving internal operational efficiency. The large organisations are already investing as well leveraging BD. On the contrary, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in India are slow adopters of new technologies due to many factors and pose to lose their competitive edge on the world stage. SMEs can also leverage BD to gain a strategic competitive advantage but are resource poor in terms of investment in manpower and financial resources. Major challenges still exist in the adoption of BD especially in information technology architecture. Cloud Computing (CC) can eliminate the need to maintain expensive computing hardware, software, and networking resources. CC can also provide a solution to scalability issues, high speed performance, and fault tolerance for using BD. With CC usage, SMEs can take advantage of BD without significant investment in information technology and manpower. This research uses secondary data as a research data collection technique, which is its limitation. However, a quantitative research methodology using statistical surveys is planned to be conducted in the near future to understand the factors impacting on the adoption of Cloud based Big Data for Indian SMEs. This paper contributes to exploring and enhancing the understanding of the challenges and opportunities for SMEs in India for adopting BD. This study will also have both industrial implications for practitioners in India, as well as those in other developing countries, and academic implications for researchers who are interested in BD adoption in developing countries.
 Keywords: Cloud Computing (CC), Big Data (BD), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Challenges, Opportunities, India.

Supply Chain Management includes all activities since the materials come from suppliers. The materials are processed into semi-finished products or finished products until the products are distributed to consumers. This investigation aims to review the influence of supply chain strategy and supply collaborative chain innovation on SMEs (small and medium enterprises) business performance. With a good supply chain performance, the company's performance will be more focused and provide benefits for companies, suppliers, and consumers. This paper's practical implication is to provide opportunities for small and medium enterprises to improve their business performance.

Supply chain management practices are always helpful for multinational enterprises in increasing their growth. However, there has always remained an open debate about which practices are helpful for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, this study has examined the influence of supply chain management practices on the performance of SMEs. Moreover, it has examined how the moderation of supply chain ecocentricity and innovation capabilities strengthens or weakens the relationship between supply chain management practices and SMEs’ performance. The quantitative study involved 352 SME managers as they can provide the relevant information and possess complete knowledge of management practices. The data were gathered via a questionnaire, and the responses were analyzed using IBM SPSS 28 and IBM AMOS. The results show that SMEs’ performance is linked to supply chain management practices (β = 0.544; P < .001), and this linkage is further strengthened by supply chain ecocentricity (R2 change = 0. 082***, F-Statistics = 47.18) and innovation capabilities (R2 change = 0.061***, F-Statistics = 39.74). SMEs can enhance their performance by efficiently incorporating supply chain management practices and developing innovation capabilities and supply chain ecocentricity. AcknowledgmentsThis study is funded by Al Hussein Bin Talal University, Ma’an, Jordan, No. 125/2023.

Global competition has forced companies, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to improve their competitive advantage. Supply chain management practices are the ways to improve the competitive advantage, particularly in the global competition context. However, there is still doubt SMEs can compete globally, considering they face limited resources, skilled workforce, and business networks. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of supply chain management practices, covering cross-functional integration, partnership, responsiveness, and resilience. Moreover, this study has examined which practices dominate in improving competitive advantage. The quantitative study involved 445 SMEs located in East Java, Indonesia. The respondents are supervisors or higher levels and work in departments related to supply chain management, as they can provide the relevant information and possess complete knowledge of management practices. The data were collected via a questionnaire designed with a five-point Likert scale. The responses were analyzed using SmartPLS software 4.0. The results show that cross-function integration improves supply chain partnership, responsiveness, and resilience (β = 0.705, 0.382, 0.324; t-value = 25.177, 6.697, 5.783). Supply chain partnerships affect supply chain responsiveness, resilience, and competitive advantage (β = 0.327, 0.257, 0.249; t-value = 5.933, 4.536, 5.651). Moreover, supply chain responsiveness improves supply chain resilience and competitive advantage (β = 0.285, 0.106; t-value = 5.690, 2.099). Supply chain resilience improves competitive advantage (β = 0.435 and t-value = 8.987). SMEs can enhance their competitive advantage by integrating their internal cross-functional integration and adopting supply chain partnership, responsiveness, and resilience. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank DIKTI 2023 and Research and Community Outreach Petra Christian University for providing the grant to fund this research.

PurposeThis study aims to explore supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Oman. This study analyzes the impact on selected supply chain drivers – facilities, inventory, transportation and sourcing. It further intends to explore whether the supply chain challenges faced by the SME sector in Oman impact their overall performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the quantitative technique of structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected electronically from SME managers/owners/entrepreneurs. All items were adopted and measured using a five-point Likert scale. One hundred and four complete and usable responses were received and considered.FindingsThe data was analyzed using SPSS and PLS statistical software. The model has been supported empirically, and the results showed a significant relationship between supply chain drivers and SMEs’ overall performance in Oman, except for supply chain inventory. The results have demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the SMEs’ supply chain drivers in Oman and, consequently, their overall performance.Practical implicationsThe results of this research can drive the development and implementation of a supply chain management strategy. This research will help policymakers induce the performance of SMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It would further enhance strategic sourcing and supplier performance considering the developed practices associated with the resource-based view.Originality/valueThe originality of the current study lies in its ability to empirically test two models within the Omani SMEs context while considering the supply chain drivers as a single variable or dividing it into four separate independent variables. This study would provide a preview for scholars for such empirical investigation and serve as a reference for policymakers and practitioners to maintain a management system of crises that may protect the SME supply chain drivers.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report a study on analysis of barriers for cyber-physical system (CPS) adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachIn Industry 4.0 scenario, Indian SMEs are struggling to bring their manufacturing processes in line with large manufacturing sector. CPS is considered as the backbone of Industry 4.0, and its implementation in SMEs will make significant changes pertaining to manufacturing automation. However, due to the lack of a proper CPS implementation strategy, SMEs face many challenges in its adoption. Hence, this study identified 18 possible barriers and seven performance measures pertaining to CPS adoption in Indian SMEs. Interpretive ranking process (IRP) is used to develop the contextual relationships among CPS barriers. IRP process include structured step-by-step matrix-based approach in which dominance among various alternatives is determined using performance measures developing a structured ranking model.FindingsThe developed IRP model revealed that CPS barriers “Lack of skilled manpower (CPSB2)” and “Lack of robustness with respect to environmental conditions in automotive environments (CPSB7)” are the most significant barriers (top two) hindering CPS adoption in SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, barriers for CPS adoption has been analyzed. In future, barriers for adopting other Industry 4.0 technologies could be analyzed.Practical implicationsThe present research work is one of the few studies which analyzed CPS barriers in SMEs and provided improvement suggestions to the most significant barriers for its smooth adoption. The managerial and practical implications have been derived.Originality/valueThe analysis of barriers for CPS adoption in SMEs is the original contribution of the authors.

Value chain practices focus on market orientation of products and services. Products and services highly rely on processes included in the supply chain in order to contribute to the value chain. Globalization, competition, and high cost of production influence the value chain imperatives. Thus, organizations involved in the value chain are challenged with creation of innovative designs and establishing lean production scenarios. This challenge is more serious in the cases of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The rugs industry in India is one example of such market behavior, and various SMEs are involved in this sector. Besides, the sector demands market orientation and customer retention for which continuous innovative practices are essential. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have played a crucial role in supporting these SMEs in India in rolling out innovative designs through customer engagements in the entire production life cycle. There are also efforts to use ICT as a tool to innovate processes, products, and services to harness better returns on investment and to sustain business. In this case, Jaipur Rugs Company (JRC) strives to manage innovation cycles to ensure development oriented value chain for the weavers and ICT applications have been intrinsic to realize these efforts.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive and useful insight into the knowledge management (KM) in the supply chain (SC) research and provide gaps and future research implications. The literature review includes a metadata analysis of KM in SC research along a number of dimensions, the existing dimensions as well as dimensions which are previously not been presented within the current area to predict the future role of KM in SC. Design/methodology/approach – The study is to examine the status of KM in SC within academic and industrial research in the last 14 years. The systematic literature review of KM in SC is based on 176 peer reviewed articles selected through a multi-stage process, from 1,063 studies during January 2001-June 2014. Findings – An increase in the interest level of incorporating KM in SC is clearly visible while studying available literature. The statistics prove that research in the field of KM in SC is overwhelmingly empirically oriented. Another major finding shows that the survey model score highest among all the research method used in the discipline. In general, the research is more interpretive in nature and provides a frame for theoretical critique. The result indicates that there is a need to use of advanced data analysis techniques with traditional data analysis technique. Originality/value – The review simply provides statistical summary which is easy to understand for practitioner and provide increased insights on the current state of research for the KM in SC.

The volatile position of the Indian market is driving the manufacturing organisations to adopt various improvement techniques in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Total productive maintenance (TPM) can also be implemented as an improvement technique. It is the utmost need to identify certain key success factors (KSFs) which helps the TPM implementation in an organisation. The objective of this research is to identify the KSFs behind the TPM implementation in Indian SMEs successfully. Researchers identified eight KSFs from the literature review, questionnaire survey and experts' (academia and industry) opinion. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) is used as an approach to establish the hierarchical structure for analysing the interrelationship among the various KSFs of TPM implementation in Indian SMEs and also develop an integrated model. ISM also classified these KSFs into driving KSFs and the dependence KSFs in this study.

PurposeThis study aims to inquire about pre-requisites and benefits of collaboration in the UK and India, testing for significance of country context.Design/methodology/approachThe survey data set includes 118 UK-based and 175 India-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper applies a grounded theory research design, given that to date, no sufficient SME sector-specific, quantitative frameworks have been published.FindingsIndia-based SMEs are more inclined towards frequent collaboration. Soft variables such as perceived trustworthiness or past commitment, appear to be significant when explaining whether or not SMEs in India enter into a collaboration. Operations-driven motives play the most significant role for them, whereas for UK-based SMEs, product design-related collaboration motives are of more importance.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed cross-country and country-specific collaboration variables will facilitate SME studies under a consistent and complete framework.Practical implicationsBusiness associations and SME owners in the UK can use the research to gain an Indian perspective and vice versa. This study concludes a stylised framework for SME owners and managers to classify collaboration patterns in a country.Originality/valueWhile previous research established concepts and practices of SME collaboration, this is the first paper that quantitatively addresses the attitudes and experiences that SME owners hold when initialising inter-firm collaboration.

PurposeThe importance of financial dependence of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on their performance is a relatively unaddressed area of research. Relatedly, whether and to what extent foreign bank penetration exerts an impact in the presence of financial dependence also remains an open question. The purpose of the paper in this regard is to exploit unit-level data on Indian SMEs and assess the independent and interactive effects of financial dependence on SME behaviour, in the presence of foreign banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses fixed effects specification to address the issue. In subsequent analysis, this study also uses an instrumental variable approach for robustness.FindingsThe results indicate that financial dependence improves investment and employment, although there is a decline in productivity. These findings differ across size classes of SMEs. Similar is the evidence in the presence of foreign banks. In particular, foreign bank penetration leads to a decline in investment for micro and medium SMEs, although for small SMEs, the impact is found to be the opposite.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the early within-country studies to examine the interface between SMEs and financial dependence and the role played by foreign banks in this regard.