Factors Influencing the Effective Information Sharing in Sri Lankan Export-Led Manufacturing Supply Chains

Abstract

Supply chain management strategies focused on enhancing information sharing in supply chains are capable of making a huge impact on the overall supply chain with the advanced development of information and communication technology. Hence, Sri Lankan export-led manufacturing industry can be benefited from these strategies to take the advantage of the rapidly growing phase of the market. In doing so, it is vital to understand the requirements that maintain effective information sharing flow within this industry. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the management perspective of the industry in deriving the factors which affect the effective information sharing in Sri Lankan export-led manufacturing supply chains. This study further shows that proper functioning of information sharing creates a significant impact on the Sri Lankan export-led manufacturing supply chains. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify six major factors which influence the effective information sharing in the supply chain: (1) barriers to effective information sharing flow, (2) quality of the information sharing platform, (3) security level of the information sharing flow, (4) resource availability for the information sharing operations, (5) top management’s concern, and (6) level of alignment of the information sharing platform with external members of the supply chain. Since a similar study has not been carried out in this area with respect to Sri Lankan context, the key findings of this study can act as guidelines for the Sri Lankan export-led manufacturing industry to select the most suitable strategies in order to enhance the supply chain information flow.