PurposeThis paper investigates the inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers in the supply chains of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative approach, data were collected through face-to-face interviews across three supply chains, each consisting of a focal manufacturer, a major supplier and a retailer.FindingsThe research identified interpersonal relationships, supplier cost transparency and joint supply chain management (SCM) investments as key enablers of SCI. Concerning the inhibitors of SCI, the study found that a lack of external integration inhibited internal integration by acting as a source of disruption to intra-firm processes and relationships. Further, the research found weaker links between manufacturer–-retailer dyads than in manufacturer–supplier dyads, which constrained the ability to achieve multi-tier supplier–manufacture–retailer integration. The study also revealed that resource and infrastructural deficiencies, a culture of fear and intimidation within and between firms, corruption in sourcing transactions and a lack of inter-firm trust inhibited SCI.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper extends earlier evidence that internal integration is a prerequisite for external integration demonstrating that a basic level of external integration is necessary to prevent disruptions to internal integration.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few to go beyond the focal firm perspective and explore the inhibitors and enablers of SCI across multiple supply chain positions, and provides new evidence on the role of external integration in achieving internal integration.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the interrelationships in internal and external supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country, Malawi. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing the resource-based view, resource-dependence and network theory perspectives, and drawing on a multiple embedded case-study approach, the research investigated the internal and external linkages within three-tier supplier, manufacturer and retailer SCs and described varying perspectives of SCI across supply chain positions. Findings Firms with strategic intra-firm resources were less committed to external integration, deploying their resources as a source of power to dominate and exploit their dependent partners. The SCI across multiple tiers was impaired by dependence but enhanced by interdependence strategies of firms. Although lack of trust, promotion of non-overlapping self-interests, corruption in sourcing processes and resource constraints negatively affected SCI, firm commitment to external integration promoted greater commitment among firms, thus having a positive effect on SCI. Research limitations/implications Further analysis of SCI of SME triads and a more systematic longitudinal analysis across other market segments should be explored to generalize the conclusions of this study. Practical implications The external influences on dyadic relationships go beyond the interactions of heterogeneous firms in the network to encompass interpersonal interactions across the network, where individuals may potentially prioritize personal connections and sabotage the interests of their firms. Originality/value The research explored the internal and external dimensions of SCI in multi-tier SCs of SMEs, and provided for the first time new evidence to show that firm commitment to engaging with partners complements the mechanisms of SCI within a developing country context. It highlights the need to develop trust, eliminate corruption, promote greater commitment of SC partners and encourage greater investment in firms’ resource capabilities to enhance SCI among SMEs.

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This paper examines the governance challenges in the management of Covid-19 response operations in Malawi. The paper contrasts inefficiencies within the Malawi Public Sector Covid-19 response system (PSCRS), against a more efficient but resource-constrained citizens’ initiative. Utilising a wicked problems theoretical perspective in the background, this qualitative study collected data from official government publications on the one hand, and from social media platforms – Facebook, and official records of the citizens’ initiative known as the Covid Response Private Citizens (CRPC), on the other hand. We undertook a comparative analysis of resources at the disposal of each initiative and their respective outputs. The findings show that the citizens’ initiative was accountable, with more efficient and transparent humanitarian response operations than the PSCRS. Further, the PSCRS demonstrated systemic deficiency and wickedness, characterised by misappropriation and other forms of abuse of public funds meant for the pandemic. Thus, the citizens’ initiative achieved more with far limited resources than the public sector initiative. This paper argues that in the fight against the pandemic, public funds could have been saved and needless loss of lives averted had the PSCRS operated with the same level of efficiency, responsiveness and accountability as the CRPC in the procurement and disbursement of essential Covid-19 supplies and other interventions. The paper concludes that the PSCRS is in itself a wicked problem that requires a solution before it can be deployed to deal with a more wicked problem, the Covid-19 pandemic.