Enhancing Operational Performance through Supply Chain Management Practices: Evidence from Firms in the Petroleum Downstream

Aims: Whilst adoption of supply chain management (SCM) practices has grown in recent decades, research into supply chain management practices of firms in the petroleum downstream remains very limited. This study examines the effect of SCM practices on operational performance for firms in the petroleum downstream.

Study Design: Survey.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ghana from January 2019 to February 2020.

Methodology: The study developed and tested a research model which proposed that Strategic Supplier Partnership, Customer Relationship, Supply Chain Information Management and Postponement significantly influenced Operational Performance of firms in the petroleum downstream. Data for the study was obtained from a survey of 150 firms operating in Ghana’s petroleum downstream.

Results: The findings of the study revealed that Strategic Supplier Partnership and Supply Chain Information Management had positive and significant impacts on Operational Performance, but Customer Relationship and Postponement did not.

Conclusion: Firms operating in the petroleum downstream should focus more on developing and managing strategic partnerships with their suppliers and managing their supply chain information.