Does Supply Chain Participation Influence SME Demand Expectations During Market Turbulence? An Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Instability, strategic supply chain, manufactury, Lombardy, SME
Abstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a cornerstone of the Italian industrial system, particularly within strategic supply chains (SSC) that are increasingly regarded as critical to resilience and competitiveness. However, existing literature suggests that the benefits of supply chain integration may not be unequivocal, especially under conditions of heightened market turbulence. This paper investigates whether participation in a strategic supply chain enhances or constrains SME performance and short-term expectations in uncertain economic environments. The analysis is based on qualitative survey data collected from SMEs in Lombardy, Italy’s most industrialized region. The study compares two groups: firms affiliated with at least one strategic supply chain and firms operating independently. The empirical assessment focuses on structural characteristics, strategic positioning, and short-term demand expectations, highlighting differences in perceived adaptability and outlook between the two groups. The findings contribute to the debate on inter-firm cooperation by identifying both the advantages and potential trade-offs associated with structured supply chain participation, particularly in contexts characterized by economic instability and environmental turbulence.
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References
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36. Neely, A. (2008). Exploring the financial consequences of the servitization of manufacturing. Operations management research, 1(2), 103-118.
37. Pasaribu, E. M., & Ellitan, L. (2025). A Review of the Strategic Role of Supply Chain Management for Developing Competitive Advantage. International Journal of Research, 12(1), 383-396.
38. Paschou, T., Rapaccini, M., Adrodegari, F., & Saccani, N. (2020). Digital servitization in manufacturing: A systematic literature review and research agenda. Industrial Marketing Management, 89, 278-292.
39. Perrini, F., VUrro, C. (2011). “Corporate sustainability, value chain and SMEs: Exploring the link”. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(4), 583–599.
40. Porter, M. E. (2001). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.
41. Ricciardi, A. (2013). “Reti di imprese e resilienza territoriale”. Economia e Società Regionale, 31(1), 55–75.
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43. Wynarczyk, P., Watson, R. (2005). “Firm growth and supply chain partnerships: An empirical analysis of UK SME subcontractors”. Small Business Economics, 24(1), 39–51.
2. Arman, H. A., Norsida, S., Ridzuan, M., Norny Rafida, A. R., & Wan Sabri, W. H. (2019). Theorizing servitisation for SME performance. International Journal of Financial Research, 10(5).
3. Baines, T. S., Lightfoot, H. W., Benedettini, O., Kay, J. M. (2009). “The servitization of manufacturing: A review of literature and reflection on future challenges”. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 20(5), 547–567.
4. Bak, O., Shaw, S., Colicchia, C., Kumar, V. (2020). “A systematic literature review of supply chain resilience in small–medium enterprises (SMEs): A call for further research”. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(1), 328–341.
5. Bechtel, C., & Jayaram, J. (1997). Supply chain management: a strategic perspective. The international journal of logistics management, 8(1), 15-34.
6. Bhatnagar, R., Teo, C. C. (2009). “Role of logistics in enhancing competitive advantage: A value chain framework for global supply chains”. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 39(3), 202–226.
7. Buciuni, G., Finotto, V. (2016). “SMEs in global value chains: From local manufacturing to global innovation”. Journal of Business Research, 69(11), 4975–4980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.04.046
8. Camuffo, A., Romano, P., Vinelli, A. (2007). “Back to the future: Benetton transforms its global network”. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 27(1), 71–87.
9. Carra te, M. (2021). “Collaborazione tra PMI e ostacoli sistemici all'innovazione”. Economia e Politica Industriale, 48(2), 317–339.
10. Cerutti, C., Musso, F. (2004). “Modelli distrettuali italiani e strategie competitive”. Sinergie, 63, 151–170.
11. Damiano, R., & Valenza, G. (2025). Enacting resilience in small and medium enterprises following the sustainability path: a systematic literature review. Strategic Change, 34(2), 237-252.
12. Dankyira, F. K., Essuman, D., Boso, N., Ataburo, H., & Quansah, E. (2024). Clarifying supply chain disruption and operational resilience relationship from a threat-rigidity perspective: evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises. International Journal of Production Economics, 274, 109314.
13. DATTA, P. P. (2017). “Supply network configuration for resilience: A review and research agenda”. International Journal of Production Research, 55(22), 6755–6777.
14. Durst, S., Davies, L., & Gerstlberger, W. D. (2022). SMEs in the face of crisis: The supply chain risk management perspective. In Increasing Supply Chain Performance in Digital Society (pp. 205-220). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
15. Durugbo, C. M., & Al-Balushi, Z. (2023). Supply chain management in times of crisis: a systematic review. Management Review Quarterly, 73(3), 1179-1235.
16. Emery, F. E., Trist, E. L. (1965). “The causal texture of organizational environments”. Human Relations, 18(1), 21–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872676501800103
17. EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK / DG GROW (EC). Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions. www.eib.org
18. Gerreffi, G., Humophrey, J., Sturgeon, T. (2005). “The governance of global value chains”. Review of International Political Economy, 12(1), 78–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692290500049805
19. Gunasekaran, A., Subramanian, N. (2017). “Big data analytics for improving supply chain performance: A review”. Journal of Business Research, 70, 263–272.
20. Hult, G. T. M., Ketchen, D. J., & Arrfelt, M. (2007). Strategic supply chain management: Improving performance through a culture of competitiveness and knowledge development. Strategic management journal, 28(10), 1035-1052.
21. Joahnson, J., Vahlne, J. E. (2009). “The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership”. Journal of International Business Studies, 40(9), 1411–1431.
22. Kanyepe, J., Musasa, T., & Wilbert, M. (2025). Supply chain risk factors, technological capabilities, and firm performance of small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Journal of Small Business Strategy, 35(1), 115-128.
23. Kanyepe, J., Musasa, T., Wilbert, M. (2025). “Supply chain risk factors, technological capabilities, and firm performance of small to medium enterprises (SMEs)”. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 35(1), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.53703/001c.125910
24. Karmaker, C. L., Al Aziz, R., Palit, T., & Bari, A. M. (2023). Analyzing supply chain risk factors in the small and medium enterprises under fuzzy environment: Implications towards sustainability for emerging economies. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 2(1), 100032.
25. Knorringa, P., Pegler, L. (2006). “Globalisation, firm upgrading and impacts on labour”. Temas Labourales: Revista Andaluza de Trabajo y Bienestar Social, 87, 11–30.
26. Koporcic, N., Kukkamalla, P. K., Markovic, S., & Maran, T. (2025). Resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises in times of crisis: an umbrella review. Review of Managerial Science, 1-29.
27. Koporcic, N., Kukkamalla, P. K., Markovic, S., Maran, T. (2025). “Resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises in times of crisis: An umbrella review”. Review of Managerial Science, 1–29.
28. Lengnick-Hall, C. A., Beck, T. E. (2003). “Beyond bouncing back: The concept of organizational resilience”. National Academy of Sciences Workshop on Engineering Resilience, Washington, DC.
29. Li, H., Yang, Y., Singh, P., Sun, H., & Tian, Y. (2023). Servitization and performance: the moderating effect of supply chain integration. Production Planning & Control, 34(3), 242-259.
30. Li, S., Ragu-Nathan, B., Ragu-Nathan, T. S., Rao, S. S. (2006). “The impact of supply chain management practices on competitive advantage and organizational performance”. Omega, 34(2), 107–124.
31. Madhani, P. M. (2019). “Strategic supply chain management: Frameworks and practices”. SCMS Journal of Indian Management, 16(4), 5–19.
32. Marchini, L., Gualandris, J., Golini, R. (2010). “Le barriere delle PMI italiane all’integrazione nelle supply chain”. Sistemi & Impresa, 3, 15–23.
33. Markley, M. J., Davis, L. (2007). “Exploring future competitive advantage through sustainable supply chains”. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 37(9), 763–774.
34. Martín-Peña, M. L., Sánchez-López, J. M., & Díaz-Garrido, E. (2020). Servitization and digitalization in manufacturing: the influence on firm performance. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 35(3), 564-574.
35. Musso, F., Risso, M. (2006). “Le PMI nelle filiere della grande distribuzione”. Mercati e Competitività, 3, 87–102.
36. Neely, A. (2008). Exploring the financial consequences of the servitization of manufacturing. Operations management research, 1(2), 103-118.
37. Pasaribu, E. M., & Ellitan, L. (2025). A Review of the Strategic Role of Supply Chain Management for Developing Competitive Advantage. International Journal of Research, 12(1), 383-396.
38. Paschou, T., Rapaccini, M., Adrodegari, F., & Saccani, N. (2020). Digital servitization in manufacturing: A systematic literature review and research agenda. Industrial Marketing Management, 89, 278-292.
39. Perrini, F., VUrro, C. (2011). “Corporate sustainability, value chain and SMEs: Exploring the link”. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(4), 583–599.
40. Porter, M. E. (2001). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.
41. Ricciardi, A. (2013). “Reti di imprese e resilienza territoriale”. Economia e Società Regionale, 31(1), 55–75.
42. Susitha, E., Jayarathna, A., & Herath, H. M. R. P. (2024). Supply chain competitiveness through agility and digital technology: A bibliometric analysis. Supply Chain Analytics, 7, 100073.
43. Wynarczyk, P., Watson, R. (2005). “Firm growth and supply chain partnerships: An empirical analysis of UK SME subcontractors”. Small Business Economics, 24(1), 39–51.
Published
2026-02-16
How to Cite
Garbelli, M. (2026). Does Supply Chain Participation Influence SME Demand Expectations During Market Turbulence? An Exploratory Study. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 50, 385. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/20655
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Garbelli
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
