Influence of Supply Chain Visibility on Performance of Manufacturing Companies in Nairobi City County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijscl.3649Keywords:
Supply Chain Visibility, Strategic Performance, Manufacturing Firms, Resource-Based View, Real-Time TrackingAbstract
Purpose: This study examined the impact of supply chain visibility on the strategic performance of manufacturing firms based in Nairobi City County, Kenya, within the framework of the Resource-Based View, considering visibility as a strategic capability.
Methodology: A convergent mixed methods design was employed, incorporating a descriptive survey of 393 employees across 454 firms using stratified random sampling, alongside semi-structured interviews with supply chain managers. Quantitative data were collected through ordered Likert-type questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Interview data were thematically coded and cross-referenced with survey findings. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .762) and validity (KMO = .85; Bartlett's p = .001) measures indicated strong instrument performance for assessing supply chain visibility.
Findings: Real-time tracking and related visibility practices were commonly implemented, substantially improving inventory turnover, order-fulfilment cycle time, stock-out reduction, and on-time delivery. Regression analysis demonstrated that visibility was a positive and significant predictor of strategic performance (R² = 0.879; b = 0.223; p = 0.001).
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study empirically validates the Resource-Based View within the African manufacturing sector by demonstrating that strategic performance is driven by information-based visibility capabilities. It identifies technology and infrastructure adoption as barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises and offers evidence-based recommendations for managers and policymakers to prioritize digital visibility investments to enhance resilience and competitiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Grace Wangari Kihara, Dr. Dennis Chege
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