Revisiting the link between information technology and supply chain management practices among manufacturing firms

This study explores the impact of information technology (IT) practices on the relationship between supply chain management practices (SCMP) variables (leadership information sharing, management strategic planning, continuous improvement and innovation) and operational performance among manufacturing firms in a developing setting. Structured questionnaires totalling 470 were administered through managers and departmental heads in the manufacturing firms located in Thika and Athi River towns within Kiambu and Machakos counties respectively in Kenya. The analysis was conducted using SPSS Amos software version 22. The results show that leadership information sharing, management strategic planning, continuous improvement and innovation relate significantly with the information technology practices. Also, that information technology had a positive influence on operational performance. In addition, leadership information sharing influences the operational performance through information technology, while management strategic planning, continuous improvement and innovation moderately influenced the operational performance among the Kenyan manufacturing firms. These outcomes provide important insight into why information technology influences the manufacturing firms' performance.

Automated summary

This study explores the impact of information technology practices on the relationship between supply chain management practices variables and operational performance among manufacturing firms in a developing setting. The results reveal that leadership information sharing, management strategic planning, continuous improvement, and innovation are significantly related to information technology practices, which in turn positively influence operational performance. Leadership information sharing influences operational performance through information technology, while management strategic planning, continuous improvement, and innovation moderately influence operational performance in Kenyan manufacturing firms.