IMPACT OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES: A SURVEY OF NATIONAL MILLING CORPORATION LIMITED (NMC) HQ, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Abstract

This research examines the impact of Supply Chain Management (SCM) practices on the organizational performance of National Milling Corporation Limited (NMC) headquarters located in Lusaka, Zambia. The study assesses four essential dimensions of SCM: Strategic Supplier Partnerships, Internal Lean Practices, Quality of Information Sharing, and Level of Information Sharing, analyzing their impact on two primary performance metrics Supply Chain Flexibility and Operational Efficiency. Grounded in the Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Supply Chain Management Theory, this research utilizes a quantitative, cross-sectional design, employing a structured questionnaire that was distributed to 286 employees, with 220 responses subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 20. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between the identified SCM practices and organizational performance. Both descriptive and inferential analyses, including multivariate regression, validate that enhancements in supplier collaboration, lean practices, and information sharing considerably improve responsiveness and efficiency. The study concludes by offering practical recommendations for the enhancement of SCM strategies and discusses the implications for management and future research within the Zambian manufacturing industry