Supply Chain Innovation and Operational Efficiency of Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms in South-South Nigeria

This study explored supply chain innovation and operational efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. The study employed the correlational research design and the positivist research philosophy. The population of this study consisted of 85 registered food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. A sample size of 48 firms was selected for the study using purposive sampling technique. The sampling units consisted of managers of the selected food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed statistically while the hypotheses were tested using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient (rho) and SPSS software program version 24. The findings revealed that supply chain process innovation has a significant relationship with cost efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. This study also found a significant relationship between supply chain process innovation and time efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. The study equally revealed that supply chain technology innovation has a significant relationship with cost efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. The study also found a significant relationship between supply chain technology innovation and time efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. Based on these findings, it was concluded that supply chain innovation is capable of improving operational efficiency of food and beverage manufacturing firms in South-South Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that food and beverage manufacturing firms in Nigeria particularly those that are experiencing operational inefficiency should adopt supply chain innovation as it would improve operational efficiency.