Supply Chain Quality Integration in Manufacturing Firms: Examining the Role of Intellectual Capital and Absorptive Capacity In a Developing Economy

Abstract

This paper explores thedirect relationship between intellectual capital and
supply chainquality integration (SCQI). Furthermore, the indirect effect of
intellectual capital through absorptive capacity is also explored. Based on the
resource-based view, dynamic capabilities perspective and relational view, a
theoreticalmodeldevelopedfromtheextantliteraturewasempirically
validated through a cross-sectional survey of 101 manufacturing firms in
Uganda. The data were analysed by using correlations and regressions. The
findings revealed that intellectual capital has a positive and significant effect
on absorptive capacity–absorptive capacity also positively and significantly
influences SCQI. Moreover, intellectual capital significantly influences SCQI
bothdirectlyandindirectlythroughthepartialmediationofabsorptive
capacity. The fundamental novelty of this article is contribution to the limited
empirical studies on SCQI and its antecedents by incorporating the three
componentsofintellectualcapitalbesidesunveilingempiricalevidence
confirming the partial mediating role ofabsorptive capacity in the intellectual
capital-SCQI relationship in manufacturing firms in a developing country
context.

Keywords: Supplychainqualityintegration,Intellectualcapital,Absorptivecapacity,
Developing economy