Challenges in Implementing Moral Legitimacy in Supply Chain Performance of Crop Production SMEs in Zimbabwe

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.