Supply chain management integration and the performance of international humanitarian organizations in East Africa

Abstract

A research study to establish the relationship that exists between SCM integration and the performance of international humanitarian organizations in East Africa was carried out. The study had three key objectives; to determine the extent of SCM integration; the relationship between SCM integration and the performance of humanitarian organizations; and to determine the challenges of SCM integration in humanitarian organizations in East Africa. The research design involved a cross sectional survey of all international humanitarian organizations in East Africa. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was administered through on-line method. Percentages and frequencies were used to analyze objective one and three, whereas regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between SCM integration and organizational performance. The findings were presented in tables and pie charts and the study established that most of the international humanitarian organizations in East Africa have integrated their SCM functions. It was also clear that there was a very significant relationship between SCM integration and organizational performance represented by the R2 value of 0.789 which translates to 78.9% variance as explained by the four independent variables of Joint planning; IT and ERP Tools; Functional coordination and SCM activities reporting into one functional unit. It is recommended that all humanitarian organizations and other entities should embrace the concept of SCM integration so that they can reap its benefits. The concept, among other benefits, will lead to faster and efficient goods, works and services to the beneficiary. Even though the study was completed in within the required time, it was an uphill task for the researcher to convince the respondents to participate in the study in good time. Further research on the same study can be done in other regions to establish whether SCM integration is able to yield the same effect on international humanitarian organizational performance.