The Impact of Technologies of Traceability and Transparency in Supply Chains

Abstract

The key purpose of the article is to analyze the effect of digital transformations, such as blockchain technology (BCT), the social internet of things (SIoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, on the supply chain (SC) for traceability and for creating transparency. The partial least squares (PSL) structural equation modeling (SEM) method was applied in combination with SmartPLS v3.3.6. The package was employed to obtain information through a survey of SC Pakistani professionals using the snowball sampling technique. Traceability plays a crucial role in enhancing transparency and ultimately the performance of SC through BCT, SIoT, and AI. Therefore, the study recommends starting the digital transformation of the SC because this is a complex process that involves a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The study findings show the importance of technologies of traceability and transparency as an analytical multidisciplinary approach to enhance the SC sector, although with certain limitations this can be taken into account by stakeholders. This study will be useful for decision makers investing in technologies of traceability and transparency in the SC. The study raises the awareness of traceability and transparency in the SC process, and also reveals research gaps and provides opportunities for further research. Despite the prevalence of studies in supply-chain traceability (SCT) and transparency, there is a dearth of empirical proof on how the digital transformation of the SC could lead to transparency and ultimately performance.