Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Supply chain integration was identified as a tool to assist an organisation to
survive in a competitive marketplace. It was unclear how plastic manufacturers in Gauteng
perceived supply chain integration efforts between themselves and their suppliers.
OBJECTIVES : This study’s main purpose was to investigate the nature and extent of supply
chain integration between 10 plastic manufacturers in Gauteng and their suppliers. The focus
was on these manufacturers’ commitment to and perceptions of supplier integration efforts.
METHOD : The study was conducted with plastic manufacturing organisations in Gauteng, over
a period of 2 months. A total of 10 participants were engaged through semi-structured
interviews.
RESULTS : The main findings of the study revealed that commitment and trust were found to be
the antecedents of supplier integration and closer collaboration, while customer price pressure
and limited available resources served as motivating factors for integration efforts.
CONCLUSION : It is recommended that organisations must revisit integration efforts when new
markets are penetrated and top management support must be revisited using a strategic
framework.
Description:
This article is based on the MPhil dissertation of Y.V., who
was therefore the main researcher. W.N. assisted as supervisor
with the conceptualisation, literature review and research
instrument. T.K. provided methodological and technical
guidance.
