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This paper examined the effect of TQM on environmental performance (EP) and the mediating role of innovation (INN) in this relationship. We employed a quantitative research method and collected cross-sectional data from 320 SMEs in the food and beverages manufacturing industry OF Ghana. We further utilised PLS-SEM to analyse the data collected. The main results revealed that TQM has a favourable and substantial impact on EP (β = 0.812, p-value = 0.000) and on INN (β = 0.771, p-value = 0.000). Additionally, INN has a favourable and substantial impact on EP (β = 0.163, p-value = 0.000), and, finally, INN partially mediates the direct link between TQM and EP (β = 0.126, p-value = 0.000). However, this mediating effect was strongly influenced by continuous improvement, employee involvement and product innovation. Therefore, SMEs in the food and beverages manufacturing sector should consider investing more in continuous improvement and employee involvement initiatives. Also, pay close attention to and adapt to changes in taste and market trends related to their products.

This study seeks to examine the impact of quality control techniques on operational efficiency in manufacturing organisations, specifically identifying the most successful practices that foster long-term success. The research employs a twofold approach: it first analyses current literature on the incorporation of quality principles in diverse manufacturing companies, identifying shortcomings.  Secondly, employing quantitative methodologies through surveys directed at South African manufacturing experts. This study utilised a purposive sample method to choose participants from the available population.  Purposive sampling is a nonprobability sampling technique that involves gathering data from designated target groups or individuals according to a defined criterion. The results indicate that employee training, ongoing improvement, and internal audits are the paramount quality control techniques, substantially promoting a culture of quality and advancing operational development. Employee engagement, proactive strategies, and remedial actions are seen as essential components for maintaining enduring operational performance. The incorporation of supplier quality management and control charts improves decision-making and guarantees product uniformity. The research highlights that organisations can enhance competitiveness, operational efficiency, and customer happiness through the implementation of good quality control practices. These methods result in enhanced production, decreased operational expenses, and increased market sustainability. Organisations must prioritise staff training, ongoing enhancement, and supplier quality control to maintain a competitive edge. This study enhances the existing information by emphasising the essential quality control techniques that affect operational efficiency in manufacturing entities. It offers significant insights into the execution of quality control techniques and their influence on business performance, presenting pragmatic recommendations for managers aiming to enhance operational efficiency.

The sustainability of South African automotive component suppliers faces increasing pressure due to global supply chain disruptions and heightened buyer demands. Within this competitive environment, traditional differentiators such as price and product quality are largely prescribed by buyers, leaving suppliers with limited strategic levers. Relationship quality has therefore emerged as a crucial factor in building trust and securing long-term customer retention. The central research question is: What is the correlation between trust and relationship quality in buyer-supplier exchanges within the automotive supply chain? This article reports on a quantitative study that examined the relationship between supplier–buyer relationship quality and the development of trust. A directional linear relationship between these constructs was tested to determine the extent to which relational factors contribute to sustainable partnerships. The findings indicate a strong and significant correlation, suggesting that supplier actions during sourcing interactions can meaningfully influence levels of trust. Trust, in turn, enhances perceived customer value and contributes to customer retention in an industry where competitive advantages are narrow. The study underscores the need for South African automotive component suppliers to prioritise strategies that strengthen relationship quality with their buyers. By fostering trust through relational practices, suppliers may achieve more resilient business outcomes and sustain their market position within a challenging global supply chain environment.

This article investigates the impact of Supply Chain Relationship Management (SCRM) on operational efficiency, with a specific focus on the mediating role of information sharing. SCRM has been widely recognized for promoting collaboration and improving operational outcomes in supply chains. However, the effectiveness of SCRM practices is significantly enhanced when accompanied by robust information-sharing mechanisms. The study utilizes Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data collected from 108 supply chain professionals in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. The results show that information sharing plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between SCRM and operational efficiency, highlighting its importance as a mechanism for facilitating better coordination, reducing operational costs, and improving lead times. These findings offer valuable insights into how inter-organizational collaboration and effective information exchange contribute to operational improvements in supply chains, particularly within the pharmaceutical sector in developing economies. The study contributes both theoretical and practical perspectives on supply chain management.  

Customers’ demand for printing industry to be more productive and compete globally in relation to delivery, cost, quality and use of technological factors is one of the factors which have a possible impact on productivity. Printing establishments through the South African printing industry have a major role to play in the country’s economy. Printing industry is characterised by overloading, inefficiency and ineffectiveness affecting overall organisational performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing productivity improvement practices and develop productivity improvement model to improve printing division. This study follows a qualitative research approach as it is an exploratory research technique used to understand the underlying reasons, perceptions and motivations of individuals in solving a problem. A sample of Government Printing Works’ (GPW) employees directly involved in the printing, finishing and packaging of Higher Education and Training examination question papers located in Pretoria, City of Tshwane municipality participated in this study. A number of critical success and barriers to productivity improvement practices are identified.  Barriers factors include poorly designed process; poorly designed layout; poor quality materials; lack of effective maintenance plans; unsatisfactory planning; supplier inefficiencies and customer inefficiencies were the major causes of low productivity in the GPW. This comprehensive and holistic framework can assist government printing employees’ and lean practioners’ in their lean manufacturing implementation journey systematically and improve the organisation’s performance.

The performance of productivity has garnered significant interest among economists, with a prevalent discussion affirming the crucial role of productivity enhancement in fostering and sustaining growth. This necessitates businesses to recognise manufacturing excellence in their operations.  Manufacturing excellence is a non-prescriptive paradigm for organisational management aimed at enhancing competitiveness.  The processes established for consistent delivery must yield products with minimal variance and no flaws.  This study investigates the impact of manufacturing excellence strategy on workforce productivity in South African automobile parts manufacturing firms.  The study employed a quantitative methodology to investigate production and associated experiences within an automobile parts manufacturing organisation that implemented a manufacturing excellence strategy for enhancing productivity.  The Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, employing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), was utilised for data analysis.  The corporation functions within the eThekwini Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.  The study was conducted by gathering pre- and post-quarterly data on absenteeism, spoilage, and labour productivity.  The findings demonstrate that manufacturing excellence affects labour productivity.  Nonetheless, neither absenteeism nor spoilage correlates with worker productivity following the introduction of manufacturing excellence.  This study reveals the strengths and shortcomings of manufacturing excellence and its impact on workforce productivity in automobile parts manufacturing firms in South Africa. 

Companies in the South African apparel industry are being driven to improve their operational efficiency by implementing Lean Manufacturing Principles (LMPs) as a result of the severe competition that they face both locally and internationally. To evaluate the effectiveness of LMP implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the apparel sector in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), this research employed a quantitative methodology. The degree of LMP adoption and its influence on operational performance, quality management, and competitiveness are brought to light through a comparison analysis between a small-sized company (Company A) and a medium-sized company (Company B). The was gathered using a structured survey distributed to employees across different functional levels in both companies. The findings suggest that there are significant differences in the implementation of LMP between the two companies, with Company B reaching a higher degree of adoption and generating more substantial benefits in both efficiency and quality. When it came to smaller businesses, difficulties such as insufficient managerial assistance, limited resources, and knowledge gaps were more noticeable. This study enhances the understanding of LMP application in SMEs and offers recommendations for fostering lean adoption, minimizing waste, and encouraging sustainable practices and continuous improvement within South Africa's apparel industry.

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate how supply chain management (SCM) practices employed by Local Municipality affect service delivery efficiency and effectiveness. Objectives include identifying specific supply chain strategies, evaluating their impact on operational performance, and providing recommendations for improvement. A qualitative research design was used, involving interviews with key stakeholders like supply chain managers. Findings reveal that effective practices, such as collaborative planning and demand forecasting, significantly enhance service delivery and resource management. However, challenges such as limited technological integration and insufficient staff training impede full effectiveness. The study concludes that targeted training and modern technology adoption are essential for improving operational efficiency and community service.

This study seeks to create a model for the management of the steel production supply chain in South Africa amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), tackling persistent interruptions and delays within the supply chain despite current models. A mixed methodology was utilised in the model's development. The qualitative component entailed a Delphi research corroborated by literature to ascertain pertinent hypotheses, whereas the quantitative component validated the model through structural equation modelling (SEM) utilising SmartPLS software. The research delineated a seven-construct framework comprising cooperation, integration, communication, supply chain structure, Fourth Industrial Revolution technology, organisational culture, and trust. The amalgamation of these designs proved enough for improving the efficacy of the steel production supply chain. The research revealed that the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the cultivation of a conducive organisational culture are essential for effective supply chain management in the steel manufacturing industry. The research presents a detailed model that facilitates the planning and organisation of steel industry supply networks in South Africa. This approach underscores the necessity of a cooperative organisational culture, client contentment, and the incorporation of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Steel industry stakeholders are urged to implement adaptable supply chain frameworks (lean, agile, leagile) based on project goals. This study enhances theoretical frameworks by highlighting essential features that have not been previously incorporated into supply chain management models for the steel sector, including the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology and organisational culture. It provides actionable insights for stakeholders in steel manufacture, enhancing supply chain performance via the proposed paradigm. The research methodology improves comprehension of supply chain management within the framework of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Dynamic capabilities in the supply chain play an essential role in improving an organization's operational performance. This research aims to see the influence of supply chain dynamic capabilities, including collaboration, integration, agility, and responsive capabilities, on the operational performance of food and beverage MSMEs in Sleman, Indonesia. The sample of this study is food and beverage MSMEs located in Sleman, Indonesia, which apply supply chain management capabilities such as collaboration, integration, agility, and responsive capabilities. The MSMEs must have been operated for more than three years, starting from 2019, so MSMEs already have a more robust supply chain network. Data from sixty food and beverage MSMEs was collected in 2024 using a set of questionnaires tested for validity using Pearson’s correlation and reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data processing in this research uses SPSS 25 software with an analysis tool, namely multiple regression analysis. This analysis helps prove whether or not there is an influence between two or more independent variables on the dependent variable. The results of this research show that collaboration capabilities, integration capabilities, agility capabilities, and responsive capabilities partially have a significant positive effect on operational performance. Increasing collaboration capabilities between MSMEs and internal and external parties must be maintained to improve value from the MSMEs themselves. According to the hypothesis test results, the integration capability variable significantly influences the operational performance of MSMEs in Sleman, Indonesia. The agility capability variable significantly influences the operational performance of MSMEs in Sleman, Indonesia. The responsiveness significantly influences the operational performance of MSMEs in Sleman, Indonesia.

Efficient supply chain management is essential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana to guarantee a dependable flow of products and services, sustain competitiveness, and promote growth and job creation. The objective of this study is to analyse the current supply chain models utilised by manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. Additionally, it intends to propose a prototype model that will aid manufacturing SMEs in achieving sustainability, growth, and future expansion in Ghana and other regions. The Conceptual framework was developed by examining variables identified in the existing literature on supplier management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as inventory management approaches that are relevant to SMEs. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from the main source. This study employs a mixed method approach, which includes the participation of 363 respondents. Interviews and surveys were carried out with small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners and managers. The data was analysed using the SPSS (v 27.0) computer application, which involved both inferential and descriptive statistical analysis. The findings revealed essential components of the prototype, such as the implementation of supply management (SM), proficient information management (IM), streamlined distribution strategies, and strong marketing and sales strategies, in addition to customer relationship management (CRM) and effective post-sales services. Implementing these supply chain management (SCM) principles effectively can guarantee the sustainability, growth, employment generation, and overall performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

This study examines the collaboration between Lean Six Sigma principles and order fulfilment procedures, which are essential for facilitating international trade. The objective is to ascertain the extent to which sustainable and effective lean processes improve customer satisfaction and accelerate global product delivery. The study employs a dual methodology: initially, doing a comprehensive analysis of the current body of literature on the integration of Lean Six Sigma in order fulfilment inside various manufacturing companies, with the aim of finding any deficiencies or areas that require further investigation. Furthermore, we utilise a quantitative approach by administering surveys to professionals in the South African manufacturing industry. Deductive reasoning examines responses using random sampling to ensure unbiased selection. The findings emphasise that using Lean Six Sigma practices in the South African manufacturing sector can address customer concerns regarding the quality of orders and the timeliness of deliveries. This can provide a competitive advantage in the global market. The study validates that the inclusion of Lean Six Sigma measurements alleviates bottlenecks by focusing on improvements in operations, procedures, and communication. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma methodologies in improving order fulfilment for enterprises engaged in international trade. It promotes these concepts to optimise processes, assuring timely deliveries and increased customer satisfaction. This study addresses several deficiencies in the current research on the incorporation of Lean Six Sigma in the manufacturing order fulfilment process. These gaps encompass the challenges of incorporating emerging technology, integrating collaborative supply chains, and incorporating sustainable practices. The distinctive methodology of integrating a comprehensive analysis of existing literature with empirical evidence enhances the novelty of the research outcomes. Manufacturing companies that aim to achieve global market excellence get practical advantages.

Supply chain management is the process of integrating critical business procedures throughout the supply chain to generate value for stakeholders and customers. Total Quality Management is a system that emphasises quality and focuses on ensuring customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is a very important instrument for operational performance and business continuity. Therefore, this study aims to determine and analyse the effect of supply chain management (SCM) and total quality management (TQM) on operational performance (OP) mediated by competitive advantage (CA). Sample collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires, using purposive sampling technique, which is one of the non-probability sampling categories. The data analysis method uses structural equation model-partial least square (SEM-PLS). The results stated that the strategy of implementing supply chain management and total quality management together can increase competitive advantage. Increased competitive advantage can improve operational performance. The suggested policy implications are that the company can continue to maintain good relations with partners, produce products according to customer desires, competitive prices and timely products.

In general, this research aims to analyze and determine the effect of the application of lean manufacturing which is focused on eliminating waste and the influence of the physical work environment on labor productivity. This research used primary data through the distribution of questionnaires conducted to employees of Company X with a total of 230 respondents from sections in departments directly related to research variables. Data analysis methods using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) measured by the Partial Least Square (PLS) model, and data processing using SmartPLS 4.0 Software. Based on the results of calculations, data analysis shows that the application of principles related to lean manufacturing, which in this research is focused on the process of eliminating waste has a positive effect on the productivity of the workforce. The creation of a physical work environment that meets standards also positively affects the productivity of the workforce.

The first objective of this study is to analyze the effect of external supply chain flexibility (inbound supplier flexibility and outbound logistics flexibility) on product innovation performance. The second objective is to analyze the effect of external supply chain flexibility on product innovation performance with the lead supplier influence and normative integration as moderating variables. There are six hypotheses in this study: 1) the inbound supplier flexibility affects the product innovation performance, 2) the outbound logistics flexibility affects the product innovation performance, 3) the lead supplier influence moderates the relationship between the inbound supplier flexibility and the product innovation performance, 4) the lead supplier influence moderates the relationship between the outbound logistics flexibility and the product innovation performance, 5) the normative integration moderates the relationship between the inbound supplier flexibility and the product innovation performance, and 6) the normative integration moderates the relationship between the outbound logistics flexibility and product innovation performance. The sample of this study is one hundred fashion SMEs in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This study uses census as the sampling method. This study uses primary data obtained by distributing questionnaires to the respondents. The researchers analyzed the data with PLS. The results show that inbound supplier flexibility and outbound logistics flexibility positively affect product innovation performance. The lead supplier influence negatively moderates the effect of inbound supplier flexibility on product innovation performance in fashion. The lead supplier influence does not moderate the effect of outbound logistics flexibility on product innovation performance. Normative integration does not moderate the relationship among the variables of the study.

Due to rising global competition and major changes in consumer demands, preferences, and tastes, many businesses today use the Japanese management technique known as Kaizen to adjust their production processes to meet these expectations. The sole goal of this study was to improve the overall productivity of medium-scale industries by integrating the kaizen philosophy into the production process. Most learning exercises carried out as part of kaizen initiatives were designed to improve social outcomes regarding employees’ problem-solving skills and attitudes. In particular, Kaizen coordinators are concerned with employees’ understanding of continuous improvement and their communication and problem-solving abilities. The pilot project was carried out in the production lines where vanilla extracts were being produced. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle technique was used in this study to improve productivity in the production process. The pitch diagram was used as a supportive tool. The two prominent techniques that mainly contributed to the increase in productivity were the PDCA cycle and the pitch diagram. Kaizen implementation led to a 37% increase in the company's total productivity. To increase productivity even further, water tapping and measurement were merged. As a result, it took just 2 minutes instead of 5 to fill a bottle with 20 liters of water. This study concludes that the Kaizen philosophy and elimination of non-value-adding tasks from the production process improve output.

This study aims to review values congruence in supply chain management. Values congruence, commonly described by researchers as the sameness of object, idea, and people, are challenging to identify, measure and prove because values are inherent intangibles in people and only seen in one’s behaviour. As an exploratory study, this paper concentrated on the supply chain management process critical path identified as specifications, sourcing, evaluation, adjudication, contract management, and administration. The study also aims to investigate the extent of values congruence at every supply chain management critical path stage.  The data were coded, organized, and analyzed by applying the principles of the content analysis method. The main findings in this study revealed that Value congruence increased performance and projected profits, the environment, and society on the one hand. On the other hand, values incongruence contributed to poor organizational performance, malpractices, corruption, bankruptcy, and liquidations.

This study aims to investigate the implementation of supply chain agility in mediating the relationship between absorptive capacity and competitive advantage. The object of this study was some cafes and modern restaurants that have over 500 Instagram followers, while the subjects of this study were individuals that manage the cafes and restaurants. The data of three variables of this study were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) which is a statistical analysis technique that incorporates factor analysis and simultaneous equations. The analysis was performed using AMOS 22.0. The results indicated that absorptive capacity has a positive and significant effect on supply chain agility, while supply chain agility has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage, absorptive capacity has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage, and supply chain agility has a positive and significant effect in mediating the relationship between absorptive capacity and competitive advantage.

From the mid-1980s, Morocco confirmed its choice to liberalize trade so that international trade could become a lever for development. However, despite these ambitions, the persistence of the trade deficit has led us to reflect on the challenges of exports and the factors that can trigger the emergence of new competition. At this level, logistics has become one of the key factors to circumvent the obstacles that affect the supply of Moroccan exports. This paper aims to study and assess the impact of the determinants of logistics performance on export performance in the Moroccan context. It follows that the general concepts will be defined, and a review of the literature on the importance of the determinants of logistics performance in exporting companies will be presented, as well as the theoretical and practical research work that has studied the impact of determinants of logistics performance on export performance. The data were collected from the logistics directors and managers of 90 Moroccan exporting companies and later were analyzed by using the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypotheses and validate the research model. The results of our empirical study showed that the three determinants of logistics performance (collaboration, information sharing and logistics strategy) positively affect the export performance of Moroccan firms, also, we have distinguished that the three determinants play a very important role in improving the company's activities and strengthening the relationship between suppliers and customers, and finally, we found that all hypotheses of our study are validated. Our study has shown that there are certain determinants of logistics performance (collaboration, information sharing and logistics strategy) that contribute to the improvement of export performance in companies. In addition, we will verify our conceptual model in other countries which would allow us to identify universal trends and we have distinguished that there are other determinants and other important variables that will be integrated in our future research model.

The objective of this study was to determine and analyze the impact of TQM, Transformational Leadership (TL), and Executive Ability (EA) on improving sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in MSMEs in Banten Province based on local leading potential. The method of distributing questionnaires is used in this study to collect primary data. This study's population consisted of all owners and managers of MSMEs in Banten Province. In contrast, the sample in this study is formed of the owners and managers of MSMEs of Local Leading Potential in Banten Province. Purposive sampling was being used in the study, as well as Warp PLS V. 7.0 and SPSS Version 25 test equipment. The findings of this study were as follows: (1) TQM had a significant positive effect on TL and SCA, but not on EA. (2) TL has a statistically significant positive effect on SCA and EA. (3) EA has a statistically significant positive effect on SCA. (4) TL mediates the effect of TQM on SCA and TQM on EA, and (5) EA does not mediate the effect of TQM on SCA. VAF (Variance Accounted For) has been used to calculate mediation effects.