Assessing the Role of Supply Chain Innovation in Food Processing SMES' Exports in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study is based on the objective to assess the role of supply chain innovation in enhancing export competitiveness among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe’s food processing industry. To begin with, supply chain innovation is the amalgamation that includes digitalization, lean management, and sustainability practices that improve operational efficiency and responsiveness. There is little to no doubt on the importance of innovation in global trade, but despite this notion, Zimbabwean SMEs face challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited financial resources, and fragmented supply chains that in turn affect their competitiveness and the ability to scale up internationally. To assess the role of supply chain innovation, this research adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive analysis of innovation adoption and its impact on export performance. A total of 257 SMEs were sampled using stratified random sampling, and data was collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to ensure that there is reliability and depth of insights. The findings revealed that while supply chain innovations are moderately adopted, their impact on export competitiveness is statistically insignificant due to systemic barriers and lack of strategic integration. Innovations were primarily incremental and survival-oriented, rather than transformative. In the findings, the study concluded that supply chain innovation acts more as an enabler than a direct driver of export performance. To fully leverage innovation, SMEs must invest in other variables that include managerial capacity, system integration, and strategic planning, while other stakeholders such as the government and industry policymakers must provide coordinated support through policy, infrastructure, and financial incentives. These measures are essential to unlock the potential of supply chain innovation and enhance the global competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s food processing SMEs in the long run.