Leveraging Strategic Suppliers for Efficient Growth: The Mediating Role of Lean Supply Chain Management and the Moderating Effect of Competitive Intensity]

This paper will study the behavior in which firms can attain efficient growth by utilizing strategic supplier performance using lean supply chain management given the influence of competitive intensity. Though the performance of suppliers and the practice of lean have been discussed before regarding distinct concepts, there is very little empirical research on the process-based mechanisms that convert supplier capabilities into efficiency-based growth. It is also significant to firms in highly competitive supply chain settings where this gap should be addressed because the growth should be made without corresponding cost or resource increases. The research design applied was a quantitative, cross-sectional study relying on survey data that was gathered on supply-chain-intensive companies. The conceptual model was assessed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Cronbach alpha, composite reliability, AVE and HTMT were used to measure reliability and validity of measurement and bootstrapping procedures were used to test the hypothesis. The findings indicate that strategic supplier performance has a significant impact on lean supply chain management ( β=0.442, p < 0.001), and lean supply chain management has a strong impact on efficient growth ( 0.681, p < 0.001). The direct impact of strategic supplier performance on efficient growth ( β=0.175, p = 0.025) is also weak, but significant, showing a partial mediation. The direct competitive intensity has a strong impact on lean supply chain management (β = 0.441, p < 0.001), but there is no significant interaction effect. The research paper has a contribution by empirically confirming an explanation of efficient growth is based on processes, indicating that the supplier capabilities generate value based on lean operational processes. The results of the study provide useful advice to managers and offer future longitudinal and cross-country studies. Keywords: Strategic supplier performance; Lean supply chain management; Efficient growth; Competitive intensity; PLS-SEM