Supply Chain Management and Performance of Small-Scale Enterprises: A Case Study of Ibanda District.

Abstract

MAGARA MUGAGA RUBANJU (2009-M101-10009) Supply Chain Management and Performance of Small-Scale Enterprises: A Case Study of Ibanda District The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of Supply Chain Management (SCM) on the performance of small-scale enterprises. This included finding out the effect of procurement, information technology, the contribution of logistics management, and assessment of the relationship between supply chain management and performance of small-scale enterprises. The study was carried out using both descriptive and analytical research design, and included a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods from primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were collected using questionnaires which were later coded and with the use of a computer programme called the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) descriptive statistics were generated. The findings indicated that most of the respondents agreed to the fact that they had skilled and trained people who carried out purchasing. The majority also believed that the purchases made were worth the money paid and had the purchasing plans. However, a good number were not sure whether proper purchasing procedures reduced on the cost of running the enterprise. Many were using telephone as their information source and consented that ICT had become an important sect in day to day running of business and had thus led to an improvement in the performance of their enterprises. Efficient means of transportation and timely delivery of supplies had controlled stock outs and thus increased on the sales growth. The biggest number also agreed that SCM improves on the performance of an enterprise. Conclusively, therefore, the researcher found out that SCM improves the performance of small-scale enterprises through cost reduction, sales growth, profitability and productivity giving it a competitive advantage over others. Key words: Supply, Small-scale, Chain, Enterprises