Abstract:
The main objective of this study is to determine to what extent IT-empowered SCM effects
the operational performance of SCM in retail firms of Pakistan. The present study is based
on the framework for the development of IT for effective SCM by Gunasekaran and Ngai,
(2004) and expects to develop a theoretical framework that provides guidelines for
organizations, practitioners and professionals.
The nature of the study suggests positivist paradigm which is expected to be considered as
the most appropriate approach to test the key proposition of the present study. Basically, the
study has followed quantitative approach. The sample size consists of 200 Supply chain
managers form Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Survey method is used for data
collection. The data has been collected through self-administered structured questionnaire.
To test the relationship of variables Correlation and Regression models are applied. The
results of the study depict that all six dimensions of IT proposed in the framework by
Gunasekaran and Ngai, (2004) i.e. Strategic planning, Virtual Enterprise, E-commerce,
infrastructure of IT, Knowledge and IT management and implementation of IT collectively
have positive relationships with the operational performance of SCM. The results of the
study provide an understanding of the effect of IT systems and their components so as to
increase the Operational performance of Supply Chains in Retail Stores and what can be
the additional methods that can increase the Supply Chain efficiency
