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Supply Chain Management Systems in Africa: Insights from Nigeria

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Business in Africa in the Era of Digital Technology

Abstract

This chapter investigates the barriers and driving forces of supply chain collaboration in Nigeria as prior research has not adequately explored this issue in developing countries. Using an in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with purchasing and supply chain managers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry in Nigeria, our results reveal the fragmented nature of supply chain management systems. Our findings also show how supply chain collaborations struggle to flourish in a highly unpredictable market. Thus, this chapter offers insights into the different factors that act as barriers to effective collaboration between supply chain partners. We also show how IT infrastructure and digital technologies could be used as a springboard to promote collaboration in the African context. The barriers and drivers are segmented into three distinct levels such as external, internal and supply chain level. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are highlighted.

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Acknowledgements

A special thanks to Late Professor Ade Oyedijo, our co-author and the former Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Lagos State University who sadly passed away on the 11th of January 2016. He served as a valuable resource person and gate keeper for the data collection process of this research in Nigeria.

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Correspondence to Kweku Adams .

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Oyedijo, A., Adams, K., Koukpaki, S. (2021). Supply Chain Management Systems in Africa: Insights from Nigeria. In: Abugre, J.B., L.C. Osabutey, E., P. Sigué, S. (eds) Business in Africa in the Era of Digital Technology. Advances in Theory and Practice of Emerging Markets. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70538-1_8

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