Value Stream Mapping in Enhancing Operational Performance of Ghanaian Food ProcessingIndustry: Mediating Role of Supply Chain Collaboration
Gloria Pokuaa-Duah, Devika Nadarajah

Abstract
Purpose - In today’s competitive market, satisfying the customer demands that, the food processing industry (FPI) has to adopt constant process improvement strategies so as to retain a recurring customer base.Value stream mapping (VSM) adoption has been cited as one of the meansthrough which FPI can achieve constant process improvement. It is recognized as one of the efficient lean supply chain management (LSCM) tools for waste identification and elimination inmaterials and information flow, people as well as performance improvement among firms. The purpose of this paper is to assess effect of VSM on operational performance (waste reduction and elimination, product quality), the mediating role of supply chain collaboration (SCC). Design/methodology/approach - This conceptual paper recommends an inclusive model that incorporate VSM, SCC dimensions and operational performance. Underpinned by theories such as the Dynamic Capabilities (DCT) and Relational View (RV), the proposed model is to establish the direct and indirect effects of VSM (multiplicative stages; identification of the product family, create a current state value stream map, future state value stream map, as well as implementation and performance comparison)on operational performance through the influence of SCC in the FPI context. The framework identifies, internal and external firm collaboration as the main goal of VSM implementation which will subsequently lead to improvements in operational performance. Originality:The study effectively combines the DCT and RV to develop a comprehensive model involving three broad operations and supply chain management concepts. Though there may be similar studies on VSM practices among manufacturing industry, however, none of such a model or work that has been reported particularly in the context of Ghana especially FPI. Additionally, exploring the mediating roles of individual dimensions of SCC in the VSM practices – operational performance in the FPI is a novelty as it provides deeper insights on the mediating effects of each dimension of SCC in the relationship between VSM practices and operational performance. The proposed theoretical model is also a potential blueprint for successful LSCM practices implementation.

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