The influence of an integration strategy on competitive capabilities and business performance: An exploratory study of consumer products manufacturers

Abstract In this paper, we expand upon recent research by Frohlich and Westbrook [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] that characterizes the influence of supply chain integration on performance. Introducing supply chain integration intensity as a proxy variable for Frohlich and Westbrook’s [J. Operations Manage. 19 (2) (2001) 185] ‘outward‐facing supply chain strategy’, we investigate the ways that manufacturing‐based competitive capabilities mediate the relationship between supply chain integration and business performance. While previous research suggests that supply chain integration is directly related to superior business performance, the mediating role of manufacturing capabilities has not been…