The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Practices in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Agility Strategy and Performance in the Retail Sector in Saudi Arabia

This research aims to investigate the role of strategic partnership with suppliers and customer relations on the impact of agile supply chain strategy on supply chain performance in Saudi Arabia's Retail sector. Estimation of hypotheses was based on data obtained from senior management and executive personnel in supply chain jobs in the retail sector in Saudi Arabia from 37 companies in different retail sectors. The data were used to ascertain the validity and conformity of the study instrument for the sample obtained from the study population using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling. The study found that supply chain practices mediate the impact of the Agile strategy on performance of the entire supply chain. The study provided recommendations to managers in the retail sector based on the results. This study contributes to the literature on agile supply chains by providing a conceptual framework and testing of how both supply chain practices (strategic relationships with suppliers and customer relationships) work to achieve a positive relationship between agile supply chain strategy and supply chain performance.