Broadening the purposive scope of supply chain financing: Insights from a focus group of anchor corporations

The purpose of supply chain financing is evolving from a tool for cost-efficient management of working capital towards an instrument for purpose-driven supply chain management. Sustainable and resilient considerations are increasingly being incorporated into financing arrangements, while digitalization offers opportunities to engage small and medium-sized suppliers in the upstream supply chain. Our research, conducted through multiple focus groups, reveals how large buying companies can leverage purposive usage. While supply chain financing is increasingly becoming a holistic instrument for addressing specific purposes relating to direct suppliers, expanding the impact of supply chain finance to upstream suppliers remains a challenge.