Supply Chain Digitalization in the Wood Manufacturing Industry: A Bibliometric Literature Review

Abstract

The wood manufacturing industry has been described as slow in adopting efficiency increasing activities in its operations and supply chain, the industry is still facing challenges relating to digitalization such as fragmentation, poor traceability, and lack of real-time information. The integration of industry 4.0 technologies can enhance the supply chain performance in terms of efficiency, collaboration, quality, and transparency. This paper aims to evaluate the current status of digitalization in supply chains, by analysing the existing literature and mapping research trends. in an aim to create a clearer vision of the current state of digitalization in supply chains in general and focusing on the wood manufacturing supply chain in particular, the results of the literature review will be used to develop a comprehensive framework for future research direction, to fully achieve the benefits of supply chain 4.0 in the wood manufacturing industry. This framework serves as a departure point to continue explaining and observing the best way to accelerate and implement Supply Chain 4.0 practices for digitalized supply chain management while focusing specifically on the wood manufacturing industry. To achieve the overall purpose, a literature review of the key literature from 2016 to 2021 has been performed. using a bibliometric and content review analysis, the results shed light on various technologies and their applications within supply chains and identify research gaps especially between theoretical frameworks and actual implementation. This paper provides a conceptual framework to further aid researchers in the exploration of knowledge regarding the most current trends in Supply Chain 4.0 and its applications in the wood manufacturing industry compared to other advanced industries, as well as the directions of the new research in the wood manufacturing Supply Chain 4.0.