Abstract:
Globally there is rising pressure in modern SMEs businesses to make sure or ascertain improved moral standards
in the supply chains operations on the grounds of sustainability, competitiveness, and growth in the face of the constantly
changing global supply chains. In SMEs in crop production in Zimbabwe, are exposed to tremendous challenges in the
implementation of moral legitimacy in the day-to-day working in their operations, in the most effective, efficient, and most
economic possible manner to improve performance. The goal of the article is to identify, describe and evaluate challenges
faced in crop production by SMEs in Zimbabwe settings and also in the context of strengthening and improving their supply
chain performance. SPSS v 20 was employed to analyse quantitative data. Surveys were conducted to gather data using
questionnaires using five-point Likert scale. Sample size of 105 SMEs in crop production SMEs from Harare Central Business
District was utilized in the study to measure and analyze factors interdicting moral legitimacy implementation in crop
production SMEs chain to improve responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness in their value chains. Descriptive data were
utilized to explicate how respondents were associated with moral legitimacy issues in supply chain performance. SMEs crop
production, just like most business enterprises could not afford to disregard business moral practices. Many crop production
SMEs business failures are as the result of a lack of moral legitimacy practices, especially those associated with employees,
internal processes, environmental impact, product footprint, and top management. The article aims to contribute to the already
existing body of literature on the moral practices of SMEs in developing countries. As such, SME owners and managers will
find it useful to utilize the findings of this article to design policy frameworks and guidelines to improve organization
reputations, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.
