The Factors Influencing Supply Chain Performance in Tanzanian Public Procuring Entities: The Mediating Role of Supplier-Buyer Relationships

Abstract

Academia's current emphasis on supply chain performance highlights the significance of information sharing as a mediator and the supplier-buyer relationship as a moderator. Nevertheless, the examination into the intermediate effects of the supplier-buyer relationship has been relatively neglected. This research examined the factors affecting supply chain performance, emphasizing the mediating role of the supplier-buyer relationship to address the existing knowledge gap in the literature. The research included both descriptive and explanatory methodologies. The positivist research paradigm and stratified sampling method were employed to obtain a sample size of 167 respondents. The data were collected through a questionnaire and an analysis of relevant documents. The collected data was examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, facilitated by SmartPLS 4, a tool for conducting inferential statistical analysis. The analyzed data on respondents' profiles underwent descriptive statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. The research findings indicate that supply chain performance is affected by information sharing, strategic procurement planning, and the relationship between suppliers and buyers. The statistical significance of strategic procurement planning and information sharing indicates that buyers and suppliers rely on these practices to improve supply chain performance. The results provide definitive evidence validating the accuracy of the proposed research model within the domain of decision-making, specifically regarding the prioritization of investments to improve supply chain performance.