Supply Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Role of SME Size

10 Supply Chain Forum An International Journal Vol. 12 N°3 2011 www.supplychain-forum.com Seung-Kuk Paik, Ph.D. College of Business and Economics California State University, Northridge, USA [email protected] This article presents the findings of a survey study of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) with regard to their supply management. The main purpose of this article is to understand how SMEs manage their purchasing activities and which purchasing development component is relevant to purchasing performance. This research examines the potential existence of systematic differences between small businesses and medium-sized businesses with regard to purchasing practice and development. Results indicate there are significant differences between how small businesses and medium-sized businesses manage their purchasing practice. This study found purchasing development is related to the purchasing performance of SMEs and that relevance of certain components of purchasing development are more than others to this relationship. Bias differs between small businesses and medium-sized businesses.