Exploring drivers of business performance in web-enabled supply chains: the role of web technology training and supply chain integration

Abstract

PurposeGrounded on the resource-based and dynamic capability views and the contingency theories, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of web technology training (WTT) and web-enabled transaction use (WTU) on business performance (BPE) through internal supply chain integration (ISCI) and supplier supply chain integration (SSCI).Design/methodology/approachBased on survey data collected from a sample of 175 respondents in the USA, the authors used structural equation modeling with AMOS 24.0 to test the measurement model for validity, reliability and the conceptual model for hypothesized structural relationships.FindingsThe results reveal that WTT significantly impacts WTU, which, in turn, has a significant direct relationship with BPE. Further, WTU indirectly affects BPE through SSCI. Additionally, ISCI has a significant direct effect on SSCI.Practical implicationsThe findings support the relationship between WTT and BPE via WTU SCI. Managers are advised to develop ongoing capabilities in WTT to maximize the value of WTU to enhance the ISCI and SSCI operations, thus leading to improvements in BPE.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the supply chain literature by empirically demonstrating the usefulness of WTT in improving WTU use and BPE through effective ISCI and SSCI.