A Systematic Literature Review of Supply Chain Management Strategies and SME Performance: A Retrospective Analysis, Current Trends and Future Opportunities

This study conducts a systematic literature review on supply chain management (SCM) strategies and their influence on Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) performance in emerging economies. Covering 241 Scopus-indexed articles from 2001 to 2024, the analysis utilizes bibliometric and content analysis with tools such as RStudio, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) SCM strategies’ impact on SME performance, (2) integration and collaboration for enhanced performance, and (3) technology adoption for competitive advantage. Findings reveal notable trends, such as the growing interest in green SCM and supply chain resilience, with the UK and India leading in contributions. This research offers SMEs actionable insights for integrating supply chain strategies, enhancing collaborative planning, and refining supply chain management capabilities. Additionally, the study provides a roadmap for future research into sustainable practices, regulatory compliance, and technology driven SCM strategies to support SMEs in addressing complex market challenges.