Improving SMEs performance through supply chain flexibility and market agility: IT orchestration perspective

In a context of competitive pressure and uncertain socioeconomic change, this research examines a key component of successful business performance: the capacity to orchestrate information technologies (IT) resources. The study also explores the effect of supply chain flexibility and market agility and their role in SME performance, including responsiveness to customer needs and the speed of new product launches. Lastly, this study focuses on e-procurement application development given the strategic position of purchasing activity in companies. The conceptual framework is tested using data gathered from 126 French SMEs. Drawing upon resource orchestration theory, the empirical results provide useful guidelines for SMEs that wish to invest in e-procurement tools to enhance competitiveness and performance.