Building Competitive Advantage and Excellence in Supply Chain Management Practices for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): An Exploratory Case Study

In an increasingly competitive global market, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing regions face unique challenges in managing supply chains effectively. This exploratory case study investigates the supply chain management (SCM) practices of MSMEs in Iloilo Province, Philippines, to understand how these enterprises build competitive advantage and operational excellence despite resource constraints. Guided by a qualitative design and underpinned by social constructionist epistemology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine award-winning MSME owners and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. Findings reveal five key themes: adaptive SCM practices rooted in innovation and community values, strategic approaches to business excellence, differentiated competitive advantages, localized insights on SCM, and resilience mechanisms for overcoming systemic challenges. Contrary to traditional models reliant on scale and automation, the study underscores the power of values-driven strategies, stakeholder relationships, and flexible operations in sustaining MSME competitiveness. The research contributes theoretical and practical implications for building inclusive, resilient, and contextually grounded SCM frameworks, offering actionable recommendations for MSMEs, government agencies, and supply chain stakeholders.