Supply chain management in SMEs – benchmarking best practice core competencies

This paper describes a research programme aimed at defining how the benchmarking of SME core competencies could be used as a promoter of growth. It proposes a methodology for assessing and benchmarking supply chain management (SCM) best practice for SMEs based on key business core competencies. The development of a self assessment tool, to enable an SME to measure its own capability in key business practices is described, together with case studies of how the tool has been applied in SMEs individually and in groups. The tool allows a company to compare its own performance against wider SCM requirements and to then define a programme of work that will lead to growth targets.