Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between supply chain management and organizational performance has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Selected Public Universities in Nigeria where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Within the context of Selected Public Universities in Nigeria, this relationship carries particular significance. Organizations in this setting operate under a distinct combination of economic, regulatory, and market conditions that may amplify or dampen the effect of supply chain management on organizational performance, making a context-specific inquiry both timely and necessary.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While supply chain management is widely discussed in policy and industry circles, empirical evidence on its actual effect on organizational performance within Selected Public Universities in Nigeria remains sparse and, in places, contradictory. This lack of localized, rigorous evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers to know with confidence whether current approaches to supply chain management are helping or hindering organizational performance — a gap this study sets out to close.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Supply Chain Management on organizational performance in Selected Public Universities in Nigeria.
2. To assess the extent to which supply chain management influences organizational performance within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with supply chain management in relation to organizational performance.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing supply chain management in order to improve organizational performance.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of supply chain management on organizational performance in Selected Public Universities in Nigeria?
2. To what extent does supply chain management influence organizational performance within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with supply chain management in relation to organizational performance?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize supply chain management in order to improve organizational performance?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around organizational performance. For managers and practitioners within Selected Public Universities in Nigeria, the study provides practical insight into how supply chain management can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on business administration by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to an examination of Supply Chain Management and its relationship with organizational performance within the context of Selected Public Universities in Nigeria. It reflects a BSc-level scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.