Godfrey Mugurusi, Richard Glavee-Geo and Intaher Marcus Ambe
Feston Kaupa and Micheline Juliana Naude
The purpose of the paper is to report on a study that investigated the critical success factors (CSFs) in the supply chain management of essential medicines in the public…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to report on a study that investigated the critical success factors (CSFs) in the supply chain management of essential medicines in the public health-care delivery system in Malawi.
Design/methodology/approach
The exploratory and descriptive study followed a qualitative and quantitative research approach. Data were collected by means of semistructured interviews and a questionnaire administered to suppliers of essential medicines, regulators, donors and logistics companies in Malawi. Data was analyzed using SPSS.
Findings
The findings revealed that the significant CSFs are knowledge of disease patterns and prevalence, skills and experience of personnel, adequate financial resources, collaboration with supply chain partners and an efficient procurement and distribution system.
Research limitations/implications
There were a number of limitations in this study. Although every effort was made to carefully and purposefully select the participants for the in-depth interviews in the first phase of the study and the respondents for the questionnaire in the second phase of the study, they were not randomly selected. As such, the findings cannot be generalised to all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical supply chain in Malawi. However, they can be used as a basis for further research on the topic.
Originality/value
No previous studies that deal with the identification of CSFs in the Malawi pharmaceutical supply chain were found. Therefore, this research makes a twofold contribution to the body of knowledge in the field. First, it identifies CSFs; second, it could assist stakeholders in the public health-care service delivery system in Malawi with regard to how they can improve the supply of essential medicines.
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Mohita Gangwar Sharma and Micheline Juliana Naude
The South African automotive industry, which is the most significant sector in the South African economy, needs to function efficiently to compete globally. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
The South African automotive industry, which is the most significant sector in the South African economy, needs to function efficiently to compete globally. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that investigated the challenges faced by the South African automotive component manufacturers and their suppliers and provide a structure and identify the dependencies between these challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) was adopted to explore the supplier relationship challenges and the dynamics and interlinkages between these challenges. ISM was deemed appropriate, as it is a multi-criterion decision-making technique suited for complex problems and provides an ordered, directional framework.
Findings
The findings revealed that advanced communication, rapid change in demand and dependence on a single customer are independent problems but have a lesser feedback loop and do not create instability by ripple effect. Interdependencies, on the other hand, create lesser ripples when tackled.
Research limitations/implications
Findings of this study will be able to guide all the stakeholders: the policymakers and the automotive industry players to target the driving issue which can bring efficiency in the South African automotive supply chain. If the automotive components manufacturers (ACMs) are able to have more than one customer, their reliance on one will decrease and the systems will improve which shall benefit the industry. This methodology can also be used in future for determining the roadmap for complex issues.
Originality/value
The framework presented in this paper provides decision makers with a realistic picture of their situation by providing insight into the interrelationships, ranking them by importance and aiding in creating a roadmap for addressing identified challenges.
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This paper aims to describe the impact of the labor market on the integration of Africa into the global supply chain (GSC).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the impact of the labor market on the integration of Africa into the global supply chain (GSC).
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis of trends and comparison of data for 55 nations and territories in Africa using existing data from the World Bank and International Labor Organization, and government and nongovernment reports took place using qualitative content analysis methodology.
Findings
Africa’s labor market enhances the continent’s integration into the GSC despite challenges in other areas, with three pillars identifying the labor market’s strategic sourcing decisions.
Research limitations/implications
The analysis is limited to trends analysis, some of which may have changed during the study.
Practical implications
The findings will enable the global business industry and governments to envision the potential and design Africa’s labor market competitiveness across the African continent. The findings also establish the necessity and opportunity for enhanced infrastructure to attract additional foreign direct.
Social implications
The social implication of this paper is beyond the potential of Africa’s labor market. The paper illustrates how the African is setting to become the next sourcing hub for the global supply chain, allowing scholars to close any prevailing global sourcing gap in research.
Originality/value
This paper describes the potential of Africa’s supply of low-cost labor market and its integration in the GSC.
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Sarah Eyaa, Ramaswami Sridharan and Suzanne Ryan
The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model investigating the impact of three constructs, environmental uncertainty, power asymmetry and information sharing on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model investigating the impact of three constructs, environmental uncertainty, power asymmetry and information sharing on opportunism engagement in exchange relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from procurement or sales managers of 99 manufacturing firms in Kampala, Uganda’s capital using a cross-sectional survey. Hypotheses were tested in both the agricultural and non-agricultural manufacturing sectors using multiple regression runs in the SPSS software.
Findings
Environmental uncertainty increases opportunism in the agricultural sector whilst power asymmetry increases opportunism in the non-agricultural sector. Across both sectors, information sharing does not have a significant impact on opportunism.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of opportunism in a developing country context by highlighting the contextual factors within the agricultural and non-agricultural manufacturing sectors that influence opportunism engagement under conditions of environmental uncertainty, power asymmetry and information sharing. This paper presents implications for practice and policy to minimise opportunism with the goal of enhancing the participation of Ugandan manufacturing firms in global supply chains.