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

This paper explores the direct relationship between intellectual capital and supply chain quality 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 theoretical model developed from the extant literature was empirically 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 both directly and indirectly through the partial mediation of absorptive capacity. The fundamental novelty of this article is contribution to the limited empirical studies on SCQI and its antecedents by incorporating the three components of intellectual capital besides unveiling empirical evidence confirming the partial mediating role of absorptive capacity in the intellectual capital- SCQI relationship in manufacturing firms in a developing country context.