Mediating effect of Supply Chain Integration on the Relationship between Continuous Improvement and Innovation and Operational Performance in the Ghana Cocoa Supply Chain

Abstract

Although the importance of continuous improvement and innovation as an antecedent of supply chain management practices (SCMPs) has been recognized, how it affects the operational performance in the Ghana cocoa industry remains unclear. This paper aims to establish the mediating effect of supply chain integration on the relationship between continuous improvement and innovation and operational performance in Ghana's cocoa supply chain. This conceptual paper recommends an inclusive model that incorporates continuous improvement and innovation, supply chain integration as well as operational performance, underpinned by resourced based view theory. The proposed model is to establish the direct and indirect effects of continuous improvement and innovation as an antecedent of supply chain management practices on operational performance through the influence of supply chain integration in the cocoa context, leading to improvement in the business operational performance. This study will contribute to the literature by empirically examining the interface between continuous improvement and innovation, supply chain integration and operational performance, with supply chain integration serving as a predictive variable.