Servitization, digitization and supply chain interdependency

The rapid pace of digitalization is having a transformative impact on modern supply chain management, particularly in the implementation of Digital Supply Chain Management (DSCM). The integration of digital technologies such as integrated information systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and cloud-based platforms—enables companies to enhance visibility, coordination, and efficiency in managing the flow of goods and information. This study aims to explain how the integration of technology in the digital supply chain can support the optimization of modern inventory systems and improve a company’s operational performance. This research was conducted using a systematic literature review approach, examining various relevant scientific publications related to the digital supply chain and inventory management. The findings indicate that the implementation of high-performance digital technologies significantly contributes to optimizing inventory planning accuracy, accelerating decision making processes, and minimizing the risks of overstocking or stockouts. Additionally, the use of digital technologies enables companies to monitor inventory in real-time and optimize their ability to respond to changes in market demand. Therefore, the implementation of Digital Supply Chain Management is a critical strategy for organizations to optimize modern inventory systems, drive operational efficiency, and strengthen the company’s competitive capabilities in the era of digital transformation.

The objective of this article is to assist the reader in understanding the journey from traditional Supply Chain Management to Digital Supply Chain Management. It aims to augment the concept of Digital Supply Chain Management with blockchain technology and create an extensive literature review to assist in formulating the gaps and discovering the variables that contribute towards the efficiency of a Blockchain-Based Digital Supply Chain. Moreover, this article aims to validate the impact of specified parameters resulting in customer retention and market leadership for an organization. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, etc., are disrupting the traditional ways of doing business and creating value propositions for customers. Supply Chain Management is a key business process for an organization that helps them compete in the market. Organizations have seized competition not as individual brands but as supply chains. Digital Supply Chain Management is the implementation of digital technologies to capture customer data at every interaction to create customer engagement strategies. This article provides an empirical analysis of parameters influencing a Blockchain-Augmented Digital Supply Chain resulting in customer retention and market leadership and shows how, through a Blockchain-Based Digital Supply Chain, the business objective of being a customer-centric organization is assisted with the customer data generated at each interaction that is enabled.

Much research demonstrates the positive effects of financial inclusion and digital finance on expansion. Supply chains that can be relied upon are essential to national productivity and economic development. This study uses panel data from 2007 to 2022 covering 27 provinces in China to study the results of widespread access to digital financial services and supply chain management on regional economic growth using the instrumental variable approach (fixed effect model). In contrast to earlier research, this study employs an alternative measure of access to digital financial services utilization and digitalization. The data demonstrates that digital financial inclusion and supply chain management have a major impact on the development of the provincial economies in China. Based on the results of this research, we suggest increasing digital financial inclusion and bolstering human capital development to stimulate economic expansion. This essay makes a theoretical advancement in studying digital technology's widespread adoption of financial services by providing a comprehensive critical review and a fresh angle on the nuts and bolts of digital money and universal banking. Boosting institutional quality and governance are two more paths that authorities can take to stimulate economic expansion in the China area, and the results show how important these measures are for achieving this goal.

Apparel manufacturing is based on rapid and quick-response supply chains; with such a context, it becomes highly challenging to manage dynamic demand, greater lead times, global sourcing networks, and short product life cycles. The importance of the digital supply chain in recent years’ digital technologies have become instrumental in driving efficiencies and competitive advantage throughout the extended enterprise. This paper focus on the potential contributions of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and digital Supply Chain Management (SCM) platforms to increase supply chain efficiency in apparel manufacturing, especially in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments industry. The research employs a qualitative approach based on literature and systematically reviews academic papers, industry reports and recorded cases concerning the digital supply chain transformation. The results show that ERP systems increase process integration and inventory control, AI increases demand forecasting and decision-making accuracy, IoT provides for real-time visibility and monitoring and digital Supply Chain Management (SCM) platforms support the end-to-end coordination and cooperation between supply chain partners. Together these technologies lead to shorter lead times, minimized inventory levels, enhanced delivery performance and greater supply chain flexibility. However, barriers such as the high cost of implementing such technologies, and quality issues around data along with a lack of digital skills and infrastructure continue to be major concerns for many businesses particularly smaller manufactures. The paper finds that strategic use of digital technologies with organizational readiness and policy interventions can be an important enabler for sustainable supply chain efficiency in the apparel manufacturing.

Purpose The study explores key barriers to the adoption of the Metaverse technology in digital supply chain management (SCM) and further unveils strategies that supply chain managers can employ to overcome these barriers. Design/methodology/approach The study deploys a multiple case study method approach involving 30 semi-structured interviews conducted with supply chain managers from five automobile firms. These firms were in the initial phase of adopting the Metaverse technology. Interviews were the main source of data collection along with additional secondary sources such as firms’ reports, media outlets, webpages and policy documents. Findings The results reveal seven barriers that impede the successful implementation of the Metaverse in digital SCM. These are lack of collaboration between supply chain actors, lack of commitment from top management, lack of education and awareness, timid organizational culture, financial challenges (cost of developing, integrating and maintaining technology), legal and ethical challenges (privacy issues, data storage issues, etc.) and, finally, lack of technological infrastructure and capabilities. Research limitations/implications The results are based on a sample size of 30 participants. Hence, they should be treated with caution and not generalizable to a broader population. Moreover, this study relies on cause-and-effect relationship to explore the phenomenon of interest. Practical implications The study provides several constructive guidelines to supply chain managers and member firms to overcome challenges related to the adoption of the Metaverse in digital SCM. Originality/value While the digital supply chain literature is enriched with studies focusing on the merits/benefits of the Metaverse, limited studies exist on the main barriers to its adoption. The study contributes to the digital supply chain literature by revealing the technological, organizational and environmental barriers of the Metaverse. The study also unveils specific properties that contribute to the emergence of these main barriers.

Digital transformation has been called the most important strategic issue for businesses around the world. The recent innovation boom brings together technologies that open up new possibilities for imagining and recreating supply flows. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of digital transformation, enabling technologies, and the impact on traditional supply chain management (SCM) processes. It starts with the introduction of the SCM, followed by the digital shift and its consequences for organizations. It continues with a more in-depth analysis of digitalization and describes the major waves of technological development and industrial and economic leaps, and relates the most recent changes in the supply chain to these waves. Further, it provides examples and use cases to motivate, excite, and emphasize progress. It describes the difficulties in defining the concept, characteristics, and challenges of current digital supply chain (DSC) management.

Properties of Metal Extrusion Additive Manufacturing and Its Application in Digital Supply Chain Management

Computer technology in 19th-century project construction has been integrated into supply chain management, digital supply chain management is officially normalized in the 21st century, and Glodon BIM software has become a new type of practical supply chain management software. Traditional handwriting and Excel software supply chain records can no longer meet today's multiple types of diversified construction supply materials. Numerous scholars were studying BIM and supply chains, but the biggest difference in context is that this research is dedicated to addressing the supply chain model of some of the rough construction sites in China, with the aim of incorporating digital supply chain optimization management. The thesis takes a case study approach to research overall, using a housing construction project in a central Chinese city as an example to complete a digital simulation of the materials supply chain management for a construction project. This study reveals three new advantages of digital supply chain management for housing construction projects, namely efficient data collection and processes, organized records and fast search. The study shows that the application of Glodon BIM software is able to exploit these three new highlights and improve the speed and accuracy of supply chain management.

The effects of digital technology application and supply chain management on corporate circular economy: A dynamic capability view

Despite the recognized importance of service quality in supply chain management, there has been limited research examining the interplay between digital leadership, service quality, and supply chain management. This study employs bibliometric analysis techniques to investigate how digital leadership influences service quality within the context of supply chain management. Utilizing VOSviewer v1.6.20, we analyzed 490 publications from the Web of Science database pertinent to this domain. Our findings reveal that advanced technologies, including digital leadership, IoT, AI, and blockchain, play a crucial role in modernizing supply chains, enhancing operational efficiency, and achieving environmental objectives. The study discusses the broader implications for both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in the field.

The smart infrastructure construction projects implemented under the Engineering-ProcurementConstruction (EPC) model have been growing more complicated with the globalized supply chains, the technology-induced complexity of the components employed, and the increased sustainability and risk management demands. Conventional EPC supply chain and project management have been highly divided, resulting in a lack of real-time visibility, reactive decision-making, and inefficiencies in performance. This paper opposes this by analyzing how digital supply chain practices can be incorporated into project management functions to enhance performance in EPC-based smart infrastructure projects. The research follows a conceptual and analytical course, integrating the latest literature on digital supply chains, project delivery of EPC, and technologies of smart infrastructure. It is on this synthesis that a Digital Supply Chain- Project Management Integration Framework is created with the aim of matching digital capabilities in terms of engineering, procurement, construction, and governance. Analyses of comparative performance based on literature-synthesized measures prove that digitally enabled EPC supply chains obtain significant improvements in comparison with the traditional practice in terms of approximately 35-40 % procurement lead time, 45-50 % cost variance, and 45-60 % risk response time. Other benefits can be seen in schedule reliability and supply chain visibility; the largest performance improvements can be seen within the construction phase and the project governance phase. The results indicate that digital integration contributes to the proactive management of risks, enhanced coordination, and performance-based project governance. The current study is an addition to the literature by filling the gaps between digital supply chain management and project management in the EPC setting and providing a practical understanding in furthering the resilience, transparency, and sustainability of smart infrastructure provision.

Strategic procurement enables companies to develop and enhance their advantage over its competitors –both by cost advantage or differentiation advantage. Accordingly, modern and future procurement is highly strategic in comparison to traditional and e-procurement practices. However, the extent to which the graduates are prepared on procurement strategies for digital supply chains is scarcely known in Tanzania. In other words, very little is known on the competence level of graduates on digital supply chain management. Therefore, this study evaluated the competence level of graduates on procurement strategies for digital supply chains in Tanzania. It specifically determined the level of awareness of graduates on procurement strategies for digital supply chains; the extent to which the graduates are prepared on procurement strategies for digital supply chains while at educational institutions studying, and ranking of skills on digital supply chains acquired by the graduates in relation to hard and soft supply chain skills. This study used quantitative approach with descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The data were collected from 500 graduates of Procurement and Supply in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza and Dodoma who were sampled using multi-stage sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that, majority of the graduates had low level of awareness on procurement strategies for digital supply chains. In addition, the majority of graduates were prepared on procurement strategies for digital supply chains to the very small extent. Moreover, skills on digital and soft supply chains were ranked thirdly/low in acquisition when at the education institutions compare to hard supply chain skills. The graduates acquired digital and soft supply chain skills in lower rate (rank) compare to hard supply chain skills acquired in moderate rate. It is generally concluded that, the graduates had low level of competence on procurement strategies for digital supply chains in Tanzania. This study advocates for serious engagement of both private and public stakeholders in collaborating with colleges/institutes in training on procurement strategies for digital supply chains in Tanzania in order to produce competent labour force for the digital world of work.

As industries mature, they rely more heavily on supply chain management (SCM) to ensure effective operations leading to greater levels of organisational performance. SCM has been widely covered in many industrial areas and, in line with other burgeoning sectors such as Tourism, an industry focus provides the opportunity to look in-depth at the context-based factors that affect SCM. Developments in digital distribution and rapid technological innovations have resulted in an increased focus on Digital Supply Chains (DSCs), which bring about significant changes to how consumers, customers, suppliers, and manufacturers interact, affecting supply chain design and processes. Through a systematic review of the Videogames Industry Supply Chain Management literature, which serves as a pertinent contextual example of a DSC, we look at how supply chains are affected by structural, market and technological change, such as increased platformisation, disintermediation and the proliferation of digital distribution. We distil these findings into a new research agenda, which identifies themes in line with extant DSC research, provides a series of relevant practice recommendations and identifies opportunities for future research.

Supply chain (SC) management has never been more difficult. Importantly, the pandemic has caused economic and worldwide devastation, which is manifested as a "black swan" in the manufacturing sector. Thus, the goal of this research article was to know how digital supply chains and information processing contribute to supply chain resilience through supply chain risk management. This study uses information processing theory to learn about supply chain risk management and resilience. This conceptual study proposed that digital supply chain and information processing capability can have a main and favorable role on supply chain risk management and resilience. Likewise, the relationship between digital supply chain and information processing capability can be positively mediated by supply chain risk management. By effectively responding to supply chain disruptions and recognizing the critical role of key study variables in risk management, information processing capabilities can have a more significant impact on supply chain risk performance, thereby enhancing resilience. By offering a theory framework based on information processing theory, this paper adds on to the body of knowledge on sustainable organizational practices. It can help organizations strategically align operational capabilities with sustainability goals and help the foundation for further empirical research in this crucial area.

Studies that have examined the digital transformation’s association with supply chains have been actively conducted for over 10 years, and studies on digital supply chain management have been increasing. However, there is a lack of consensus on the definitions of or views about the digital supply chain; thus, researchers in the academic or industrial fields propound various concepts of digital supply chains, which results in confusion during the exchange of opinions or transmission of concepts in many cases. The purpose of this study is to identify the research trends from various articles on the digital supply chain that have been published so far, summarize and analyze the theories and concepts pertaining to it, and review future topics of research. Network text analysis was conducted by extracting information from unstructured text data to identify research trends. The results of the analysis showed that many studies have examined the digital supply chain in terms of sustainable management. “Sustainability” was the most influential word in the keyword network, and the digital transformation of supply chains is essential for the sustainable viability of firms in the era of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. Many studies have focused on technology for big data analysis and the IoT as technologies to fulfill digital supply chains and maintained that COVID-19 has increased risk factors such as global supply chain disruptions, which is why global firms must monitor the supply chain in real time by securing end-to-end visibility and making corporate-level efforts to build a digital supply chain to instantly detect and deal with related risks. The common groups of keywords were related to “supply chain integration”, “resilience”, “digital technologies”, and “digital transformation”.