Supply Chain Collaboration, Information Sharing, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation of Manufacturing Firms in Lagos and Ogun States

This study empirically examines the relationships among supply chain collaboration, information sharing, and firm performance in manufacturing firms across Lagos and Ogun States, South West Nigeria. Supply chain collaboration and information sharing are theorised in recent literature as complementary mechanisms that jointly enhance demand responsiveness, reduce waste, and improve delivery reliability. However, empirical evidence on how these constructs interact to influence firm performance in Nigerian manufacturing contexts remains sparse. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, structured questionnaires were administered to 210 supply chain managers, production directors, and operations heads in 42 manufacturing firms across the Ikeja, Agbara, and Sagamu industrial corridors. The study tests a conceptual model in which information sharing mediates the relationship between supply chain collaboration and firm performance. Collaboration is measured through joint planning, shared risk arrangements, and inter-firm communication quality. Information sharing is assessed by frequency, accuracy, and systems compatibility. Firm performance is operationalised through return on investment, order fill rate, and manufacturing lead time. Structural equation modelling is employed to test direct, mediated, and moderated pathways. The study draws on the relational view theory and recent supply chain collaboration literature. Findings are expected to confirm information sharing as a significant mediator, demonstrating that collaboration initiatives without adequate information systems investment yield diminished performance returns. Recommendations are addressed to operations executives and supply chain consultants on building collaborative information architectures in Nigerian manufacturing clusters. Keywords: supply chain collaboration, information sharing, firm performance, manufacturing, structural equation modelling.