Supply chain issues in SMEs: select insights from cases of Indian origin

Abstract

This article reports the supply chain issues in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) using insights from select cases of Indian origin (manufacturing SMEs). A broad range of qualitative and quantitative data were collected during interviews and plant visits in a multi-case study (of 10 SMEs) research design. Company documentation and business reports were also employed. Analysis is carried out using diagnostic tools like ‘EBM-REP’ (Thakkar, J., Kanda, A., and Deshmukh, S.G., 2008c. An enquiry-analysis framework “EBM-REP” for qualitative research. International Journal of Innovation and Learning (IJIL), 5 (5), 557–580.) and ‘Role Interaction Model’ (Thakkar J., Kanda, A., and Deshmukh, S.G., 2008b. A conceptual role interaction model for supply chain management in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development (JSBED), 15 (1), 74–95). This article reports a set of critical success factors and evaluates six critical research questions for the successful supply chain planning and management in SMEs. The results of this article will help SME managers to assess their supply chain function more rigorously. This article addresses the issue on supply chain management in SMEs using case study approach and diagnostic tools to add select new insights to the existing body of knowledge on supply chain issues in SMEs.