Antecedents of Quality Information Sharing in the FMCG Industry

Abstract

Information sharing in a retail supply chain presents challenges of mapping information flow in terms of collection and transfer capabilities from one point to other internal and external users. Efficient mapping information flow seems to be dependent on information availability, velocity and the level of volatility. This would strengthen partnerships between the upstream and downstream sites of a supply chain in terms of information capturing, transformation and exchange between both internal and external supply chain users. This study examines the relative magnitude of advance economic information sharing in optimizing integrated supply chain activities in the consumer goods industry. It further analyses the challenges of bullwhip effect from the perspective of electronically-enabled supply chain management (eSCM) systems and information sharing in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. The study finds that information sharing is related to supply chain performance targets in the FMCG industry in terms of a higher order fulfillment rate and achieving shorter order cycle time through integrated e-SCM systems. The managerial implications of this study are that integrated IT infrastructure capability and top management support (in terms of visible involvement, commitment and participation of executives and the allocation of the necessary resources) are significant antecedents of the quality of shared information.