Do Supply Chain Management Practices Influence Firm Performance? A Meta-Analytical Approach

Firms recognize that an assertive SCM could lead to an important competitive advantage in the business world. The purpose of this study is to capture the effect of supply chain management practices in the performance of firms, through a meta-analysis. It aims at highlighting which SCM practices that have a superior effect and their positive or negative impact on performance. Partnership with suppliers, process driven events, employee involvement, and customer satisfaction are the SCM practices that proved to have a positive impact in firm performance, according to the meta-analysis results. The findings from the research can help managers deciding on in which SCM practices concentrate their effort. It also allows making comparisons among different regions in terms of practices with a positive effect and how SCM practices evolves since first insights to now and if it changes throughout time. Concerning supply chain theories, this research sustains the hypotheses that SCM practices impact on some firm performance measures.