Linking supply chain practices to competitive advantage: An example from Australian agribusiness

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated modelling framework that links management action to supply chain processes and then to competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach: Using survey responses about supply chain management in the Australian beef processing industry, regression analysis was used to develop a model simultaneously explaining the links from management action to supply chain processes and on to competitive advantage. Findings: A relatively simple regression model was established that should be widely applicable in agri-food processing industries. In the context of our example industry, the results suggest that there is a strong link from some supply chain practices to competitive advantage, with trust and information quality being important drivers of the process. Research limitations/implications: Being based on a survey approach, a limitation is that that the results show managers' perceived influences on supply chain performance, not the influences observed by the researchers. Practical implications: The regression method provides an easy way of summarising the links between supply chain practices and competitive advantage. This method may be generally applicable across agri-food industries, particularly those with many small and medium-size food enterprises. Originality/value: This research provides a new method of integrating various aspects of supply chain management and competitive advantage. The method has the great advantage of parsimony.