Small and Medium Enterprise Research in Supply Chain Management: The Case for Single-Respondent Research Designs

Deciding on the number of respondents in a data-collection instrument is a key design consideration requiring supply chain researchers to balance multiple competing factors. The debate on this respondent design question may unintentionally disregard over 95% of enterprises engaged in supply chains: small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We present arguments for why single-respondent designs can be more appropriate in the SME setting, particularly when considering the various facets of supply chain management and the untapped potential of SCM-SME research. Assuring that SCM theoretical frameworks and research designs allow for SME inclusion will be important in aiding the SCM field to progress forward.