The Roles of technological innovation and the Chinese network in the supply chain of selected Chinese-owned SMEs in the restaurant business

The study attempted to determine the effects of technological innovation in the supply chain of selected Chinese-owned restaurants, namely Crown Prince Seafood Restaurant, Legend Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant and Phoenix Court. Specifically, the study aimed to distinguish the key factors that affected the business performance of the restaurants in terms of profitability, effectiveness, customer satisfaction and productivity that resulted from the implementation of technological innovations. Furthermore, this study also determined the role of the Chinese networks in the supply chain management of the selected restaurants. The researchers interviewed the top management of the Crown, Legend and Phoenix to obtain a grasp of the restaurants history, business performance and operations, from the purchasing of supplies, the preparation of the dish and the level of customer satisfaction with their dining experience. Furthermore, the researchers made use of surveys administered to the suppliers, customers, and employees of the three said restaurants. These surveys were divided into two parts namely technological innovation and the Chinese values that affect business performance, which are trust, reciprocity, reputation, harmony and forbearance