Abstract:
The focus of this study was to examine the relationship between information sharing,
information quality, strategic partnership and internal lean practices among Small and
Medium-sized Enterprises in South Africa. It is essential to understand practitioners’ and
entrepreneurs’ current knowledge towards the topic at hand in order to determine what
interventions would be most beneficial in helping to curb the problem of the lack of
knowledge in this area and to understand the underlying causes behind the problem,
while creating awareness and giving new insight to those who are already aware of this
topic.
Data was collected from a sample of 350 Small to Medium Enterprises and the
measurement items in the measuring instrument were measured using a 5-point likert
scale. Thereafter the collected data was coded and analysed by means of structural
equation modelling using the AMOS 21 software package.
The results indicate that supplier information sharing and information quality have a
strong influence on strategic partnership and in turn strategic partnership has a strong
influence on internal lean practices among Small to Medium Enterprises. This indicates
that the level and quality of information shared between Small to Medium Enterprises
and their suppliers has a positive effect on the strength of their partnerships as well as
on the internal practices of each Small to Medium Enterprise. Based on these results,
conclusions were drawn and recommendations were put forward on how internal lean
practices in Small to Medium Enterprises can be improved by means of information
sharing, information quality and strategic partnerships.
