THE INFLUENCE OF ROAD TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE ON SUPPLY CHAIN RESPONSIVENESS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of road transport infrastructure, encompassing equity and community elements, on supply chain (SC) responsiveness in the context of manufacturing firms in Ghana. Survey data from 359 senior managers validated our proposed model and analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Amos version 23. The findings emphasize the direct positive association between road transport equity, community involvement, and SC responsiveness. Additionally, traffic management was found to moderate the relationship between road transport infrastructure and SC responsiveness. These results underscore the critical need for investing in equitable road transport infrastructure and efficient traffic management systems to be well handled to realize the full potential of road infrastructure. The study's practical implications stress the importance of community engagement, safety measures, and knowledge-based decision-making in achieving optimal SC responsiveness. By embracing a comprehensive approach that incorporates these factors, organizations can enhance their adaptability and resilience in the complex landscape of SC management. However, it is important to acknowledge the study's limitations, such as its focus on beverage manufacturing firms in Ghana, and future research should explore these dynamics across various industries and consider evolving factors in SC management. KEY WORDS Road transport infrastructure, supply chain responsiveness, traffic management, equity, community participation. In today's dynamic and interconnected global economy, the efficiency and responsiveness of supply chains have become paramount for businesses seeking to gain a competitive edge (Giannakis et al.,2019: Moh'd Anwer,2022: Shekarian et al.,2020: Garcia-Torres et al.,2019). According to Gu and Liu (2023) and Zhabin (2023), the ability to swiftly adapt to changing market demands, disruptions, and consumer expectations is contingent upon a multitude of factors, one of which is the quality and reliability of road transport infrastructure (Adu et al., 2023: Skorobogatova and Kuzmina-Merlino, 2017). Shladover (2022) indicated that roads serve as the arteries of commerce, facilitating the movement of goods from manufacturers to consumers, and everything in between. Consequently, the state of road transport infrastructure plays a pivotal role in shaping the responsiveness of supply chains, impacting industries, economies, and society at large (Adu et al., 2023: Novack et al., 2023). Therefore, the influence of road transport infrastructure on supply chain responsiveness is a multifaceted and complex relationship, intricately woven into the fabric of logistics and commerce. However, this relationship extends beyond the mere physical connectivity that roads provide, encompassing aspects such as reliability, resilience, technology integration, and sustainability (Große, 2023; Gu and Liu, 2023; Negri et al., 2021). Moreover, Sudan and Taggar (2021) reveal that Road transport infrastructure plays a pivotal role in the agility and responsiveness of supply chains by facilitating the movement of