Managing Supply Chain Risks in Small-Scale Manufacturing: A Study of the Sachet Water Industry in Dutse, Nigeria.

This study examined supply chain risk management practices and their influence on operational efficiency among sachet water producers in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. The study sought to identify major supply chain risks, assess the risk management practices and mitigation strategies adopted by producers, and evaluate the extent to which these measures contribute to operational efficiency. A quantitative research design was employed. Data were collected from 32 respondents drawn from registered sachet water production firms in Dutse, representing virtually the entire accessible population of producers in the study area. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that supply chain risk management dimensions, including risk management practices, mitigation strategies, and collaborative partnerships, were positively associated with operational efficiency. The regression model explained 83.8% of the variation in operational efficiency and was statistically significant (R² = 0.838; p < 0.001). However, when the variables were considered simultaneously, partnerships emerged as the only significant predictor of operational efficiency (β = 0.515, p < 0.05), indicating that collaborative relationships with suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders play a critical role in enhancing production stability and operational performance. The study concludes that while various risk management measures contribute to improved operational outcomes, strategic partnerships constitute the most influential mechanism through which supply chain risk management enhances efficiency in sachet water production. The study recommends that producers strengthen collaborative relationships across the supply chain, institutionalise formal risk management frameworks, and invest in long-term partnerships that promote information sharing, resource coordination, and resilience against supply chain disruptions.