Supply Chain Leadership in a Developing Economy for Sustainable Innovation and Competitiveness: The Case of Johannesburg Stock Exchange-Listed Companies

The supply chain leadership (SCL) concept has gradually gained traction among various stakeholders such as legislators and specialists because of its dependable practices for companies in sustainable innovation and competitiveness across developing economies. The effective implementation of SCL strategic actions in a company can initiate sustainable innovation and competitiveness at each level of the company. Statistical data collection was performed for 46 of the top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed companies through an online Survey Monkey questionnaire. The primary purpose of this study was to identify the SCL strategic actions that are undertaken by companies in a developing economy regarding sustainable innovation and competitiveness. The findings significantly reveal empirical insights for companies to include and leverage in SCL strategic actions that influence sustainable innovation and competitiveness in an emerging economy. The findings show that firms operating within developing economies must adopt, and recognize the importance of, sustainable innovation and competitiveness in their practices for the betterment of the goods and services provided to the market. A major contribution is offered to the literature for the assistance and planning of sustainable innovation and competitive practice in developing economies in a global environment. This study further offers a robust recognition of, and information about, the characteristics and strategies that commonly lead to SCL being prioritised by the top 100 JSE-listed companies.