Supply chain flexibility and sustainable performance of packaged water manufacturing firms in Ghana

Abstract

This study emphasised on supply chain flexibility as an innovative strategic capability that links sustainable performance. The specific objectives were to examine: the effect of product flexibility on sustainable performance; the effect of product flexibility on sustainable performance; the effect of logistics flexibility on sustainable performance. The theories underpinning the study were the resource base view and dynamic capability View Theory. The study was based on the quantitative and positivism philosophy which was adopted together with an explanatory research design. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used as the research instrument for data collection. In all, 120 managers of packaged water manufacturing firms located in the Greater Accra were consulted. The study employed the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS- SEM) as the statistical tool for data analysis. The findings of the study indicated that all the dimensions of the supply chain flexibility namely: product flexibility, modification flexibility and logistics flexibility have positive and significant effects on sustainable performance. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that managers need to incorporate supply chain flexibility in their strategic decisions when considering how to improve upon sustainable performance. This practice should be part of the long term strategy since supply chain flexibility does not happen overnight.