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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.