Linking supply chain disruptions and manufacturing firms’ operational performance in a developing country context

This study empirically investigates the link between supply chain disruptions and operational performance in manufacturing firms in a developing country context. Based on a survey sample of 150 manufacturing firms in Nigeria, hypotheses relating to the linkages between disruptions and firms’ performance were developed and tested. Multiple regression analysis was carried out using the data obtained from the survey. Four major categories of supply chain disruptions were identified and analysed: supply-related disruptions, demand-related disruptions, power-related disruptions and transportation-related disruptions. New categories of supply chain disruptions were identified in this context and are novel to risk categorisation in the main stream supply chain risk management literature. The study reveals further interesting and counter-intuitive findings in terms of the links between supply chain disruptions and manufacturing firms’ operational performance that may be unique to a developing country context. The theoretical and practical implications of the study were also discussed in this paper.