This study examined the influence of Information Technology (IT) on supply chain
efficiency in online retail stores, with Jumia Kenya as the case study. The research
was guided by the following objectives: To examine the influence of e-commerce on
supply chain efficiency of Jumia, Kenya. To analyze the role of mobile technology
and application on supply chain efficiency of Jumia, Kenya. To assess the impact of
data analytics on supply chain efficiency of Jumia, Kenya.
The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory and Game
Theory, which emphasized the strategic role of IT resources in gaining competitive
advantage and optimizing decision-making within supply chains operations.
A descriptive research design was adopted, targeting employees within Jumia
Kenya’s supply chain, logistics, and IT departments. A stratified random sampling
technique was used to select a sample size of 110 respondents from a target
population of 150. Data collection was conducted through structured questionnaires,
while data analysis involved descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions,
means, and standard deviations, presented using tables.
The findings indicated that order management significantly enhanced supply chain
efficiency by improving order processing, reducing delays, and optimizing inventory
control. Order tracking and communication were found to play a crucial role in supply
chain coordination by reducing inefficiencies, enhancing real-time visibility, and
improving customer service. Demand forecasting emerged as a key driver of supply
chain efficiency, with predictive analytics improving forecasting accuracy,
minimizing stock-outs, and enhancing responsiveness to market fluctuations. IT
integration was also found to streamline processes, enhance data visibility, and
improve overall supply chain agility.
The study concluded that IT adoption was a critical factor in enhancing supply chain
efficiency in online retail stores. It recommended that businesses should invest in
advanced IT solutions such as AI-driven analytics, blockchain for supply chain
transparency, and cloud-based logistics systems. Additionally, companies should
prioritize employee training on IT tools, strengthen supplier collaboration through
shared IT platforms, and enhance cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive supply
chain data. Future research should explore the impact of blockchain technology and
artificial intelligence on supply chain optimization and transparency in online retail
environments.
Keywords: Information Technology, Supply Chain Efficiency, Order Management, E-
commerce, mobile technology and application, data analytics Order Tracking, Real
time data analytics, Communication, Demand Forecasting predictive analytics and
inventory management, Jumia, Kenya, Resource-Based View, Game Theory, AI,
Blockchain.