This study examines public-sector supplier management practices applied to public-sector procurement in a developing country (South Africa [SA]) to delineate practices that have a salutary impact on the performance of the public-sector supply chain. Based on the largest survey conducted in this context (333 Supply Chain Management (SCM) public sector professionals in SA) and grounded in Institutional Theory, analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics, and hypotheses were tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Results indicate that three SCM practices (collaboration, innovation, and integration) exert a significant positive influence on supplier performance. Further, supplier performance exerted a significant positive influence on supply chain resilience. The managerial implications of the findings are discussed, including practices that deserve attention to improve supplier performance and how supplier performance can be harnessed to enhance the resilience of public sector supply chains in developing economies.

Keywords:

supply chain management practices, supply chain resilience, procurement management

@article{oscm-2026-1075,
  title={Supplier Performance and Resilience in the South African Public Sector},
  year={2026},
  author={Shephard Mugwenhi and Chengedzai Mafini and Joy Bhadury and Welby Vandrys Loury Okoumba},
  journal={Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal},
  volume={19},
  number={4},
  pages={804--824},
  doi={10.31387/oscm0670552}
}

Shephard Mugwenhi, Chengedzai Mafini, Joy Bhadury, Welby Vandrys Loury Okoumba (2026). Supplier Performance and Resilience in the South African Public Sector. Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 19(4), 804-824. https://doi.org/10.31387/oscm0670552