Impact of traditional and international logistic policies in supply chain performance

Mexican maquiladoras (Mexican export processing plants) are focused on exportation activities, and have several processes derived from policies related to procurement and inventory that are established by each company. This paper analyzed 17 activities related to supply chain (SC) policies and grouped them into four independent latent variables: (1) traditional logistics, (2) international logistics, (3) supply, and (4) inventories. Moreover, the impact of these policies was analyzed on ten benefits and was eventually grouped into three dependent latent variables. In order to analyze the relationship among these latent variables and to generate a measurement model, a survey was conducted in 63 exportation Mexican maquiladoras located in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Twelve hypotheses about the relationships among latent variables were then generated in order to determine the causal relationships. Finally, the hypotheses were integrated in a structural equation model (SEM) and tested using partial least squares technique that is integrated in WarpPLS® software. The obtained results indicated that traditional logistics policies have a direct impact on the inventory, international logistics, and supply variables. This impact allows for greater efficiency in the supply chain, better economic performance, and more satisfied customers.