A Literature Review on the Linkage between Supply Chain Challenges and Key Success Factors for Small and Medium Size Enterprises

Abstract

The main aim of the paper is to review literature on supply chain challenges and key success factors for SMEs and to draw the theoretical linkage between the two phenomena. The narrative literature review is undertaken as a method of the research. The paper starts from the literature review on supply chain challenges which is followed by the analysis of key success factors of supply chains and SMEs. The findings reveal that SMEs are still locked in their own performance limitations and coping with their own success thus can hardly support the success of supply chain; however, solving their own success problems SMEs can become a valuable and supportive partner in the pursuit of success of the whole supply chain. Keywords: supply chain, challenges, key success factors, small and medium size enterprises (SME).Straipsnio pagrindinis tikslas yra atlikti tiekimo grandinės iššūkių ir mažų bei vidutinių įmonių kritinių sė-kmės veiksnių literatūros analizę, ir nustatyti teorinius ryšius tarp šių dviejų fenomenų. Tyrimui naudotas teorinės literatūros analizės metodas. Pradžioje nagrinėjami tiekimo grandinės iššūkiai, o vėliau -mažų ir vidutinių įmonių kritiniai sėkmės veiksniai. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidžia, kad mažų ir vidutinių įmonių veiklos rezultatyvumas, galintis tenkinti tiekimo grandinės keliamus reikalavimus ir iššūkius, yra ribotas. Norėdamos tapti tiekimo grandinės sėkmės bendraautorėmis, jos pirmiausia turi spręsti savo pačių vidinės sėkmės užda-vinius. Raktiniai žodžiai: tiekimo grandinė, iššūkiai, pagrindiniai sėkmės veiksniai, mažos ir vidutinės įmonės (MVĮ).

Longitudinal study of perceived environmental uncertainty. An application of Rasch methodology to SMES

“…With a much narrower scope, the analysis of the environment in SMEs focuses mainly on the economy, customers and the competitive environment (Wong et al. , 2014), with short communication channels (Stonkute, 2015).…”

“…An important idea to highlight is the one presented by Stonkute (2015). According to this author, SMEs have limited competencies in marketing, strategy and acquisition of new knowledge and technology (Parnell et al, 2015).…”

“…This way, the analysis of the environment is not carried out as widely or frequently as in large firms (Franco et al, 2011;Haase and Franco, 2011;Strandholm and Kumar, 2003). With a much narrower scope, the analysis of the environment in SMEs focuses mainly on the economy, customers and the competitive environment (Wong et al, 2014), with short communication channels (Stonkute, 2015).…”

Arcs of communication and small- and medium-sized enterprise performance

“…In this sense, Panahifar et al (2018) also add the secure sharing of information as the most determining factor in the information-sharing-centred collaboration. SME performance and the information shared with main customers/suppliers SMEs have limited competencies in marketing, strategy and acquisition of new knowledge and technology (Stonkute, 2015). Faced with these difficulties, the ability to obtain external information, particularly from other members of the supply chain, means that this information is perceived as particularly valuable and attractive (Li and Lin, 2006;Ya'kob and Wan Jusoh, 2016).…”

“…The information shared between customers and suppliers is a key aspect for the effective functioning and coordination of the entire supply chain (Damiani et al, 2011;Lee and Whang, 2000;Stonkute, 2015). Even, for Yigitbasioglu (2010) and Raweewan and Ferrell (2018), among other authors, the exchange of information is "the heart, lifeblood, never centre essential ingredient, key requirement and foundation of supply chain collaboration".…”