Title: Study on collaboration and information sharing practices for SCM in Indian SMEs

Authors: Ravinder Kumar; Rajesh K. Singh; Ravi Shankar

Addresses: Maharaja Agarsen Institute of Technology, 110086, Delhi, India ' Mechanical and Production Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University, 110042, Delhi, India ' Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hauzkhas, 110016, New Delhi, India

Abstract: Supply chain management (SCM) is a system that contains multiple entities, processes and activities from suppliers to customers. In a supply chain, raw materials and information flow from the supplier to the manufacturer, before final distributions to customers as finished products or services. The capability of collaboration and information sharing is essential to improve the overall effectiveness of the SCM. Collaboration involves devising a set of strategies in which external and internal actors with different capabilities achieve their common goals and capabilities to face global competition. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are more sensitive to environmental changes of market as compared to large organisations. To achieve competitive advantage SMEs should strategically implement collaboration and information sharing practices in their supply chains. In this study, authors have used a survey-based approach to study collaboration and information sharing practices for SCM in Indian SMEs. The results revealed that supplier selection and evaluation, involvement of customers in decision making and use of IT for different tools has significant impact on business performance of Indian SMEs.

Keywords: information sharing; supply chain collaboration; information technology; supply chain management; SCM; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; India; supplier selection; supplier evaluation; customer involvement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2016.077838

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2016 Vol.22 No.4, pp.455 - 475

Received: 22 Jan 2015
Accepted: 12 Feb 2015
Published online: 17 Jul 2016 *

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