Collaborative Supply Chain Practices Boost Microenterprise Profitability: Evidence from Barranquilla's Commercial Sector

Abstract

This study assessed how collaborative supply chain practices affected inventory performance and profitability in 50 microenterprises in Barranquilla, Colombia. Using a quasi-experimental design, researchers divided businesses into treatment (n=26) and control (n=24) groups, with the former implementing structured supplier collaboration over 12 months. Statistical analysis through propensity score matching, quantile regression, and structural equation modeling found that collaborative practices led to a 59% increase in inventory turnover and a 7.1 percentage point improvement in gross profit margins. Lower-performing businesses experienced disproportionately larger benefits, suggesting collaborative approaches might function as equalizing mechanisms. Information sharing showed stronger effects than joint planning or relationship quality measures. The findings extend supply chain optimization research into microenterprise contexts, showing that basic collaborative practices yield meaningful benefits without requiring sophisticated technology. These results offer practical guidance for microenterprise support programs seeking cost-effective approaches to enhance small business sustainability in developing economies