Information sharing, social capital and sustainable supply chain performance in the agri-food supply chain: an empirical study of the meat supply chain in Kenya

Abstract

The significance of information sharing in agri-food supply chains has heightened due to the increasing demand for food security, the global population surge, and the imperative for efficient and sustainable supply chains. This study aims to explore the interplay among information sharing, social capital, and sustainable supply chain performance within agri-food supply chains, with a specific focus on the meat supply chain in Kenya. The study is driven by three primary objectives: firstly, to systematically review existing literature on information sharing in perishable African agri-food, identifying gaps in the current knowledge base; secondly, to scrutinize the relationships among information sharing, information quality, social capital, and environmental performance; and finally, to investigate the association between information sharing, power dynamics, social capital, and overall supply chain performance. The study used a quantitative approach, which involved administering surveys to respondents in the target population. The target population were abattoirs and traders in four counties, namely: Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, and Kiambu. They were selected because they are the largest end markets in Kenya. A census of abattoirs in the four counties was done, and snowball sampling was used to identify the traders supplying them. The study collected data from 85 abattoirs and 164 traders. Smart-PLS 4 software was then used to test the hypothesis and analyse the data. The study identified a notable gap in the examination of information sharing within perishable African agri-food supply chains, underscoring the significance of contextual factors in comprehending information-sharing dynamics. Contrary to expectations, the findings indicated that social capital does not act as a moderator in the relationship between information sharing and supply chain performance. However, the study revealed a positive moderating effect of coercive power on this relationship. Additionally, the research found that information quality plays a mediating role in the relationship between information sharing and environmental performance. The implications of this study carry substantial weight for supply chain actors, as it underscores the advantageous outcomes of information sharing. Establishing sustainable supply chains not only allows actors to safeguard the environment but also contributes to the improvement of their economic prosperity. The study also emphasizes the valuable role of coercive power in fortifying the correlation between information sharing and supply chain performance, offering insights for practitioners. Furthermore, the significance of information quality is evident, prompting practitioners to prioritize timely, comprehensive, accurate, and relevant information when engaging in sharing practices. Theoretical implications of this study include understanding the context of studying information sharing to match information needs and understanding the dynamics of each agri-food supply chain. The study focused on meat supply chain, which has different dynamics from other agri-food supply chains.