An investigation on the direct and indirect effect of supply chain integration on firm performance

From the results of LISREL analysis on Korean and Japanese manufacturing firms and subsequent equality test for multi-group, this paper finds that, in case of Korean firms, efficient supply chain integration may play more critical role for sustainable SCM competitiveness, while, in Japanese firms, the close interrelationship between the level of SCM practices and competition capability may have more significant effect on SCM competitiveness. This finding derives a strategic framework that, in early stage, the emphasis on systemic supply chain integration may be more crucial, and, in the stage after setting supply chain integration on its way somewhat, the movement of strategy focus into the pursuit of high level of consistency between SCM strategy and competitive strategy may be advisable.