Analysing the Impact of Factors on Challenges and Barriers in Supply Chain Management Implementation in the Sri Lankan Retail Industry During Covid-19

The primary purpose of this research study is to analyse the impact of factors on challenges and barriers faced by the retail industry in Sri Lanka in implementing supply chain management (SCM) amidst the COVID-19 situation. Furthermore, this study attempts to examine the mitigating strategies of challenges and obstacles to implementing SCM under disaster situations. The study sample comprised 52 individuals (out of 208 individuals directly engaged with supply chain activities) from six selected supermarket chains operating within Sri Lanka, and the data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the degree of internal and external challenges and barriers to implementing SCM. Correlation and regression analysis were performed to identify the relationship between selected independent variables and the challenges and barriers of implementing SCM. The findings indicated a positive relationship between selected independent variables and the challenges and barriers of implementing SCM within the Sri Lankan retail industry. The study recommends effective actions to successfully implement SCM within the retail industry in Sri Lanka amidst the COVID-19 situation.