Utilizing intellectual property rights protection to stimulate supply chain integration for supply chain responsiveness: the moderating role of trust

Purpose The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for a responsive supply chain. While empirical evidence largely points to collaboration as a mechanism for enabling supply chain responsiveness, fear of knowledge spillover often makes firms reluctant. This study developed a theoretical influence mechanism of intellectual property rights protection, supply chain integration and supply chain responsiveness. The study also explores the moderating role of trust. Design/methodology/approach The hypothesized relationships are validated through a survey of 214 Ghanaian manufacturing companies. Findings The findings demonstrated that intellectual property rights protection is an enabler of supply chain responsiveness. Supply chain integration mediated the relationship between intellectual property protection and integration. Additionally, trust strengthened the positive relationship between intellectual property rights protection and supply chain integration. Practical implications The study addresses the challenges to supply chain responsiveness by identifying how intellectual property protections can help improve responsiveness while mitigating the drawbacks of collaboration and knowledge sharing among partners. Originality/value The study develops a theoretical influence mechanism for supply chain responsiveness by synthesizing the effects of trust, intellectual property rights protection, and supply chain integration. This approach is particularly critical in a developing world context, where weak intellectual property regimes and fragmented supply chains prevail.