Information Technology Supply Research Articles

Local wisdom and Government's role in strengthening the sustainable competitive advantage of creative industries

The competitive advantage of the Creative Industry is an important strategy to succeed in a highly competitive global business market. The Indonesian creative industry is a strategic industry characterised by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, these enterprises face challenges, such as low entrepreneurial orientation, low digital literation to access the global market, limited capital, lack of digital payment methods, and a focus on conventional marketing activities rather than implementing Entrepreneurial Marketing (EM). The previous research proposed that Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and Entrepreneurial Marketing (EM) could increase competitive advantage due to the moderating role of local wisdom culture and the government's role. Therefore, this research aims to analyse the moderating role of local wisdom culture and the government's role in the effect of EO and EM on sustainable competitive advantage development. The quantitative research design employed a self-administered survey distributed to 400 top and middle managers within the superior and priority subsectors of the creative industry. The survey targeted four provinces in Indonesia known for their high contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP >9 %), based on the ‘Purposive Sampling’ method. The results of the SEM analysis, based on 330 useable data points, show that Local Wisdom and Government's Role significantly mediate the relationship between Sustainable Competitive Advantage and Sustainable Business Performance. The research results imply that it is necessary to empower the government's role in providing information technology infrastructure to facilitate the creative industry's access to the global marketplace and encourage the use of digital payment methods for the rapid development of sustainable competitive advantage. Theoretical contributions extend to Dynamic Capability Theory by integrating Resources Advantage Theory and Resources Base View Theory, including the moderating role of Local Wisdom and Government's Role, and examining the relationship of EO and EM with sustainable competitive advantage.

How do small-to-medium-sized e-commerce businesses stay competitive? Evidence on the critical roles of IT capability, innovation and multihoming

PurposeSmall-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in e-commerce often invest in information technology (IT) to stay competitive. However, whether and how IT capability (ITC) translates into financial performance requires further research. This paper examines the role of ITC in enabling value proposition innovation (VPI) as an important mechanism that improves financial performance for Chinese e-commerce SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We argue that ITC is critical for enabling innovation because it elevates SMEs’ understanding of changing customer needs, especially when SMEs operate on multiple e-commerce platforms (multihome).Design/methodology/approachWe used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and tested the hypotheses that ITC mediated by VPI and moderated by multihoming increases the financial performance of e-commerce SMEs through a survey among 206 Chinese SMEs operating on Taobao.FindingsWe find that not only higher levels of ITC lead to better financial performance, but also that the effect is fully mediated by VPI. Moreover, the effect of ITC on innovation is enhanced when vendors operate on multiple platforms.Originality/valueThe study identifies VPI as an important mechanism through which SMEs can leverage their ITC to adapt, innovate and thrive in competition. Our work suggests that using technology to develop innovative ideas and identify opportunities (which are reflected in VPI) is key to success and that doing so is more likely when vendors multihome. Thus, this study contributes to the innovation literature by explicating a concrete link between ITC, multihoming, VPI and increased financial performance. Different e-commerce stakeholders, including SME owners, IT and service providers and e-commerce platforms, can benefit from the findings of this work.

The mediating role of information integration: information technology capabilities and supply chain resilience in Ugandan agro-food processing firms

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the relationship between information technology (IT) capabilities, information integration and supply chain resilience within the context of a developing country.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a structured questionnaire survey, the study collected cross-sectional data from 205 agro-food processing firms in Uganda, drawn from a sample of 248. The data were subsequently analyzed using SPSS version 27 to validate the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe study findings revealed that IT capabilities and information integration are positively and significantly associated with supply chain resilience. Moreover, it established a positive and significant link between IT capabilities and information integration. The results further revealed both IT capabilities and information integration account for 62.2% of the variance in supply chain resilience (SCRES) in agro-food processing firms in Uganda. Notably, the findings revealed the partial mediating role of information integration, addressing the need to understanding the mechanisms through which IT capabilities influence SCRES.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the study used a cross-sectional design which makes it difficult to test causality. Some of the study variables need to be studied over time due to their inherent behavioral elements such as collaboration and information sharing. Hence, future research that could, where possible, collect longitudinal data on the study variables would add value to the findings. Second, the study was limited to agro-food processing firms in Uganda in selected districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Jinja. Further research needs to be done in other sectors such as service industry and other geographical locations in Uganda and other developing economies to provide more generality of the findings. Third, the study was based on IT capabilities, information integration and supply chain resilience. There are other variables that affect supply chain resilience such as business continuity planning strategy, interactions between teams within an organization in building resilience, supply chain velocity, system orientation and flexibility among others which can be interesting for further research.Practical implicationsManagers are advised to motivate their IT-related personnel. Efficient use of IT systems by staff, especially who are skillful at self-study, enhances their ability to respond to disruptions accordingly. This enhances SCRES. Additionally, to get feedback from supply chain stakeholders, agro-food processing firms should assess the quality of their supply chain services through using IT capabilities as well as integrating their information.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing literature by adopting information processing perspective to provide an empirical understanding of IT capabilities and information integration as key resources and capabilities essential for information processing in building SCRES. Furthermore, the study introduces the novel insight of the mediating role of information integration as a pathway in which IT capabilities enhance SCRES in agro-food processing firms in Uganda.

A Maturity Model for Diagnosing the Capabilities of Smart Factory Solution Suppliers and Its Pilot Application

For the successful and sustainable deployment and diffusion of smart factories, both the capabilities of the adopters who operate the factories and the capabilities of the suppliers who supply information technology and equipment play very important roles. However, since the existing models for diagnosing the capabilities of smart factories are mainly focused on evaluating the capabilities of the manufacturing companies themselves, such as technological capabilities and digital transformation, there are not many models that diagnose the supply capabilities of suppliers from the perspective of demand companies. Unlike models that diagnose the level of smart factories, when diagnosing the capabilities of suppliers, various factors such as supply experience and management capabilities must be comprehensively evaluated in addition to the capabilities of the company itself. Therefore, this study proposes a new model to diagnose the capabilities of suppliers from the perspective of adopters who want to build smart factories and verifies the validity of the model by applying the model for a pilot diagnosis for 32 suppliers. In addition, based on the survey results obtained from both adopters and suppliers participating in the pilot diagnoses, this study proposes an institutionalization plan for capability diagnosis.

Development and application of web information system in enterprise management under SSH framework

With the development of information technology in society, many enterprises have set a set of enterprise information management systems for themselves. This paper proposes an Enterprise Management Information System based on the SSH framework for the Web. Firstly, the key technology in Web, Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE), is combined with Spring-Strut-Hibernate (SSH) framework, and a lightweight solution of J2EE Web application is adopted to build a Web application with a clear structure, good reusability, and easy maintenance in a short period. The functional design and development process of the information system is explored and studied in detail, and computer software design and development technologies, tools, and methods are used to build an information solution for the enterprise project management business. The internal functions of the system are divided into project planning, implementation, suspension, change, evaluation, and result management, which can provide information technology tools to support the enterprise project management business according to its actual content and management mode. All key information of this system is stored in the database, and the database tables can be divided into system-like tables and project-like tables according to the design and definition classification. Finally, the implementation of some major functional modules in this system. The integration of the system SSH and the main public functions are implemented, and then the details of how the key functions such as user login, project information filling, and auditing are implemented in the enterprise project management information system, and how the document generation function is implemented after project approval. In this paper, the enterprise management information system performance test showed that the system response time, average occupancy rate of CPU, and memory during the test have reached the expected requirement. The maximum response time of 2.423 seconds, CPU and memory (physical) maximum average occupancy rate of 21.24% and 25.25%, respectively, all conform to the requirements of the performance index.

The Concept of the Aerospace System in the Context of Training Specialists to Ensure the Complex of Its Management Tasks and the Application of Information Technologies

Background. The defining trends of technical progress are the development of information technologies and revolutionary approaches to the practical use of space. In aviation, there are breakthroughs in the creation of a variety of technical implementations of aviation equipment and its application. Increasingly close interaction between aviation and space systems at the level of service provision, joint problem solving. The transition to large aerospace systems connected into a single entity on the basis of information technologies and having the function of supplying information technologies is not far away. The training of specialists in the creation and operation of aerospace systems is becoming an increasingly urgent task and should be several steps ahead of the latest achievements in this direction. 
 Objective: conceptual developments regarding the creation of an aerospace system and educational programs for training specialists in solving the problems of managing its aircraft and their target equipment, this system management, application and production of information technologies in the system. 
 Methods. Results. On the basis of the analysis of the development of tasks and technologies in the field of space and aviation technology and the prospects of their combination, the concept of a single aerospace system is proposed with an emphasis on the complex of issues of managing such a system, on information technologies in this system. In the context of the creation, development and operation of the aerospace system, the features and common features of three types of educational programs are highlighted, grouped by preparation for the corresponding groups of tasks: management in space systems; management in aviation systems; provision of the aerospace system with information technologies and (or) providing information technology by the system. The content of the educational material within the framework of the mentioned educational programs is generally considered.
 Conclusions. The materials of the article are aimed at improving the mentioned educational programs.

Pelatihan Pemanfaatan Teknologi Informasi pada Era Revolusi Industri 4.0 bagi Siswa SMK Bina Profesi Pekanbaru

This Community Service Activity (PKM) aims to provide information technology training in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 as additional basic knowledge of the world of information technology for class X students of SMK BinaProfesi Pekanbaru. Rapid technological advances and the increasing need for information technology and several IT trends that are developing at the present time are important parts that need to be introduced to students so that students are able to use the information technology they use every day wisely. The use of information technology is grouped into the science that produces the technology. The grouping of knowledge is explained by the training techniques provided, namely discussing and explaining clearly each of the basics of the science group; internet of things, big data, cyber security, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and cloud computing. The results of this activity are expected to contribute to students being able to group the technologies they encounter into the knowledge groups they have acquired during the training.

Building a Reputation as a Business Partner in Information Technology Outsourcing

One noticeable trend in the maturing information technology (IT) outsourcing industry is the growing interest from client firms seeking to benefit from supplier-led innovations. Yet IT outsourcing suppliers still find it challenging to shift their reputation from the competent provision of a low-end service to a high-value innovative line of services, thus becoming known as business partners. We address this issue by examining the reputation formation efforts of an IT supplier experiencing a reputation deficit in terms of quality (its ability as a business partner) and intent (its intention to adopt trustworthy behavior). We develop a model based on a case study of a large IT supplier engaged in reputation formation with its outsourcing clients. We portray reputation formation as a process wherein an IT supplier alternately emits signals of quality and intent from a repertoire of signals. Our process model distinguishes between signaling at the market level, which relies on rhetorical mediums to broadcast a message promoting the supplier’s ability as a business partner, and signaling at the client level, which relies on substantive mediums such as demonstrations of the supplier’s ability to solve the client’s business problems and behavioral mediums that allow the client to assess the supplier’s intent to adopt trustworthy behavior.

Research on the Regulation of Algorithmic Price Discrimination Behaviour of E-Commerce Platform Based on Tripartite Evolutionary Game

With the development of the digital economy, the algorithms and big data technologies of e-commerce platforms have gradually turned into double-edged swords. While realising personalised recommendations, they also provide information technology support for the use of algorithmic prices to discriminate and extract residual value from consumers. Consumers frequently use Black Cat and third-party media to complain, resulting in a significant negative impact. Therefore, in order to regulate algorithmic price discrimination, using e-commerce platforms, local governments and consumers act as game subjects, taking an evolutionary game approach. We analyse the impact of different situations and factors on the system’s evolutionary stability strategy and conduct its verification via simulation experiments. This study shows that several measures, such as increasing cooperation with the media; establishing clear regulatory rules to reduce the extent of algorithmic price discrimination and the grey revenue of e-commerce platforms; establishing a long-term mechanism for consumer feedback; improving rewards and punishments to increase the probability of successful regulation and penalties by local governments; sharing information to reduce the cost of consumer regulation; and setting reasonable bonus thresholds based on government revenue and consumer regulation costs, can effectively regulate algorithmic price discrimination and promote the sustainable development of e-commerce platforms.

Embracing green supply chain collaboration through technologies: the bridging role of advanced manufacturing technology

PurposeThe implementation of green collaboration has evolved from the interfirm level to the supply chain level, which requires more participation in information and manufacturing technologies. Despite many efforts to green supply chain collaboration (GSCC), the research on how to enhance it from a technological perspective remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to address this gap by exploring how to enhance green supplier, internal and customer collaboration through using information technology (IT) and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT), which further accelerates environmental and economic performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted based on survey data collected from 213 manufacturing firms from different industries. The direct effects of the conceptual model were tested using the method of structural equation modeling (SEM), whereas the bootstrapping method tested the mediation effects of AMT between IT and GSCC.FindingsThe results show that green supplier collaboration (GSC) is significantly associated with environmental performance, while green customer collaboration (GCC) is positively related to economic performance. Green internal collaboration not only enhances green supplier and customer collaboration but also boosts environmental and economic performance. IT directly improves green internal collaboration but is negatively related to GSC and insignificantly related to GCC. However, AMT not only enhances green internal, supplier and customer collaboration but also mediates the relationship between IT and green supplier and customer collaboration.Originality/valueThis study offers comprehensive and novel insights into GSCC from a technological perspective, giving rise to meaningful contributions to green practices for both scholars and practitioners.

Exploring cloud computing adoption: COVID era in academic institutions

Cloud computing (CC) is a revolution that can provide information technology (IT) as a service. CC offers infrastructure, platform, and software services, as demand peaks and surges. This paper aims to investigate how prospective adopters behave when external factors such as “Coronavirus Pandemic- COVID-19” impact their technology adoption decision-making. The study also explores how a prospective adopter behaves i.e., if his/her intention to adopt any new innovation increases in presence of stronger disruptive factors (COVID-19). This research empirically examines if the intent to adopt secured (online) services impacts actual CC adoption (CCA) in pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 eras. It also provides an idea of how prospective adopters behave when they face disruptions caused by the pandemic situation, and how the holistic relation is reflected in terms of its influence on academic performance. This study has used Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with sequential mediation effect of intent to adopt secured online services and CCA on Academic Performance (AP) using a sample of 867 students from 25 different Indian universities in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Using AMOS, a structural equation modelling was conducted to test the research model. The results highlight that there is a significant difference between the influence of perceived usefulness (PU) as well as perceived ease of use (PEOU) on CCA due to COVID-19. The results also provide empirical evidence of gender moderating the relationship of PU as well as PEOU with CCA. This is the first study that provides comparative results from pre-COVID and post-COVID era, this work provides a reference point to practitioners and academicians, especially when evaluating factors before making a final decision regarding any emerging technology's adoption.

Online Quality of Services of Ship Procurement License at Kesyhbandaran Utama Tanjung Perak Surabaya Office

One of the efforts to create optimal services quickly and cheaply is by providing information technology for integrated exchange of data and information. Tanjung Perak Surabaya Main Harbormaster Office implements an online service system in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia PM Number 154 of 2015 concerning Online Syahbandar Approval Letter Services, including the service of Ship Motion Approval Letters at the Port. The government through the Ministry of Transportation developed Inaportnet, which is an internet-based electronic single service system. The Inportnet concept is applied as a ship service system in terms of ports in the activities of arrival and departure of ships as well as plans for loading and unloading activities that can be carried out effectively and efficiently. The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze the Quality of Service for Ship Motion Permit Online at the Tanjung Perak Surabaya Main Harbormaster Office using the theory of electronic service quality by Ribbink et. al (2004). This research method is descriptive research with a qualitative approach, data collection is done by interview, observation, and documentation techniques. The results obtained are then collected, reduced, presented, and conclusions are drawn. The results of this study indicate that the Quality of Service for Ship Motion Permits Online at the Tanjung Perak Surabaya Main Harbormaster Office shows that service quality is not optimal. It is said that it is not optimal because there are dimensions that do not meet the needs of service users, namely: there is no complaints and suggestions menu in the Inaportnet application, there is no data correction menu if an error occurs in the data input process so that service users have to process data input repeatedly, of course impede the work of shipping agents, especially in the process of applying for ship operating permits online.

Assessment of Availability and Utilization of Information Technology in The Teaching of Biology in Ekiti State Secondary Schools, Nigeria

The study investigated availability and utilization of information technology in the teaching of Biology in Ekiti State secondary schools. The descriptive research design of the survey type was adopted in the study. The population of this study consisted of all the secondary schools in Ekiti State. The sample for this study consisted of 100 Biology teachers which were selected from 50 secondary schools in Ekiti State. The sample was selected using simple random and stratified random sampling techniques. Information and Technology Equipment Checklist was used for data collection. The face and content validity of each instrument was done by experts in Test and Measurement. The data collected for this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the level of availability, level of adequacy and extent of utilization of information technology facilities in teaching Biology in Ekiti State secondary schools were low. It was recommended among others that the government should provide information technology facilities in secondary schools and inspectorate department should ensure that schools with information technology facilities should put it into use in teaching and learning of school subjects especially Biology.

PENGEMBANGAN DESA DIGITAL DALAM PELAYANAN PUBLIK DAN KEARSIPAN BERBASIS TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI DI GAMPONG REULET TIMUR

The development of digital-based smart villages in Indonesia can increase economic activity and productivity in rural areas. The implementation of digital village innovations is able to improve public services by utilizing technology, thus creating effectiveness and efficiency in providing services. However, not all villages can keep up with rapid technology developments. To overcome these problems, it is necessary to provide information technology infrastructure for villages. Currently, the government by using the village fund instrument has started to provide technological facilities and infrastructure to the village government. However, the existence of this equipment had not run optimally as a result of lack of knowledge and skills in information and technology, especially in the field of public services and archives. This service aimed to make village apparatus and residents familiar with technology and make filing easier for village officials. Furthermore, for the development of digital villages there will be training in introducing technology to residents. The results of this service facilitated village officials in administration and providing detailed information about village activities, assisting partners in accelerating services and disseminating information related to villages in all fields, especially in the administrative field.

PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN DAN PENGELOLAAN WEBSITE UNTUK TOKOH DAN REMAJA DI BLANG PULO LHOKSEUMAWE

The community service activities of the community development scheme aimed to provide information technology skills through a training of website making and its management for village officials, leaders of Munawwarah mosque, and youth of Blang Pulo village. The problem that has been identified by the team was that there is no village website to explore village potential and promote Blang Pulo as well as increasing the economic level through promoting superior village products as the closest village to the Malikussaleh University campus. The methodology used in this community service activity encompassed: 1) site survey and village interview prior to conducting training and to identify problems; 2) provide an introduction to the website creation system and provide assistance in teaching community empowerment training materials; and 3) providing training materials for partners and village leaders, village apparatus and youth to provide website materials with wordpress. The purpose of this service included: 1) increasing the knowledge and abilities of village leaders and youth in making websites with WordPress; and 2) increasing the ability of village leaders and youth in operating and managing the website. The target of this community service activity was to empower community of Blang Pulo village in managing websites with Wordpress, explore village potential and promote village potential, providing up-to-date data information on village information websites, and increasing economic levels through the promotion of village superior products. The results of this service activity was the creation of village website and appointment of operator Blang Pulo village to manage the web and to set up all display menus properly and correctly. So, it was expected that the results of website management training are in accordance with the needs of the community and rural development goals.

Development Prospects of Accounting for IT-Organizations

The transition to the digital economy from the economy of production processes and resources requires changes in the accounting system, leads to the evolution of accounting in general and, as a result, to transformations in audit and internal control procedures. Today, the digital transformation of the Russian economy is carried out rapidly, covering also such infrastructure functions as accounting and reporting. It is known that accounting as a science and branch of human activity historically reflects all significant changes in the economy through the introduction of innovative methods for creating, storing and transferring information. Currently, the IT services market is actively expanding and improving in the Russian Federation, many organizations of this specialization have appeared. The study purpose is to develop recommendations and methods in the field of IT organizations accounting caused by insufficient regulatory and methodological support for this area by industry accounting standards. Modern accounting is maintained using special software products designed for convenient data storage, documents and reporting creation, accounting information analysis. They also enable accountants to maintain interconnected accounting areas, management personnel to have access to up-to-date information and make management decisions. The scientific novelty of the presented study results is the theoretical recommendations’ justification on improving accounting aimed at improving the efficiency of financial and economic activities of organizations providing information technology services. Particular attention is paid to the development of the responsibility distribution matrix for performing specific business processes in IT enterprises, their grouping and the defining the main steps of the accounting process. The article draws conclusions about the specific nature of accounting performed by IT organizations, proposes an option for reforming the accounting system by introducing business process technology into the practice of financial and economic activities with an emphasis on the industry characteristics of IT enterprises. The study showed the need to improve the existing accounting methods in the field of information technology, where the specific role is given to the formation of analytical data in the context of business processes.

Illegal: The SolarWinds Hack under International Law

Abstract In late 2020, news surfaced about one of the most extensive attacks on an information technology (IT) supply chain to date. Hackers exploited a vulnerability in the update system of Orion, a network-monitoring and management software developed by the company SolarWinds. Malicious code embedded in Orion updates created a backdoor into the systems used by numerous private and public entities. This backdoor was then used to insert additional malware into affected systems – in particular, spyware to exfiltrate confidential or sensitive data. Considering both the importance of preserving the integrity of IT supply chains and the diverse risks of harm that attacks such as the SolarWinds hack give rise to, this article examines this cyber operation according to the relevant rules of international law – notably those on sovereignty, non-intervention, general due diligence duties and international human rights law. It concludes that the operation may have been illegal on multiple fronts.

PELATIHAN MICROSOFT EXCEL UNTUK ADMINISTRASI BISNIS DI BANK JASA JAKARTA

This community service aims to provide information technology training, in order to improve the ability of Human Resources at Bank Jasa Jakarta, especially the use of Microsoft Excel in completing daily tasks. The benefits of this service in the form of training are expected that participants will experience an increase in the knowledge and skills needed in utilizing spreadsheet applications, especially Microsoft Excel in completing work, compiling reports, and compiling presentations in daily work routines. This community service in the form of training is carried out using presentation methods and guided practice step by step, where each participant carries out hands-on practice by being given materials in the form of electronic books, presentation materials for training guides, and worksheet files according to the training guidelines. Data on the development of the training participants were obtained from the initial questionnaire and evaluation questionnaire. From the data obtained information that the training has been carried out well, and the training materials have been well understood by the participants and participants have increased knowledge of the use of spreadsheet applications and expect advanced training topics

Impacts of IT capability and supply chain collaboration on supply chain resilience: empirical evidence from China in COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeBuilding supply chain resilience is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy to deal with supply chain challenges, risks and disruptions. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how to build supply chain resilience and whether supply chain resilience could achieve a competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachBy analyzing the data collected from 216 firms in China, the current study empirically examines how information technology (IT) capability and supply chain collaboration affect different forms of supply chain resilience (external resilience and internal resilience) and examines the performance implications of these two forms of supply chain resilience.FindingsResults show that IT capability is positively related to external resilience, whereas supply chain collaboration is positively related to internal resilience. The combination of IT capability and supply chain collaboration is positively related to external resilience. In addition, internal resilience is positively related to firm performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used only cross-sectional data from China for hypothesis testing. Future studies could utilise longitudinal data and research other countries/regions.Practical implicationsThe findings systematically assess how IT capability and supply chain collaboration contribute to supply chain resilience and firm performance. The results provide a benchmark of supply chain resilience improvement that can be expected from IT capability and supply chain collaboration.Originality/valueThe study findings advance the understanding of supply chain resilience and provide practical implications for supply chain managers.

Emerging positions of German firms in the industrial internet of things: A global technological ecosystem perspective

AbstractThe industrial internet of things (IIoT) has created entirely new inter‐firm competitive and collaborative dynamics that focus on the supply of digital infrastructures, services and platforms for industrial users. These dynamics typically involve machinery builders, information technology suppliers and traditional technology buyers from various asset‐intensive sectors. Given the global character of IIoT technology, transnationally relevant inter‐firm arrangements have emerged for which we still lack a conceptually grounded understanding. This study addresses this research gap from the German perspective by combining the concepts of global value chains and complex technical systems. Empirically, we develop a multiple case study of established German firms that have provided IIoT technologies in the domain of ‘smart manufacturing.’ We investigate the firms’ evolving positions within the multi‐layered IIoT stack and explore their technological dependency on global cloud‐infrastructure suppliers. Second, we put the case study into the context of the recent German industrial‐policy initiatives related to the discourse of ‘digital sovereignty’, which attempt to improve the positions of domestic actors vis‐à‐vis the multi‐national tech companies. Conceptually, this study offers the framework of global technological ecosystems as a new perspective on the transnational platform economy, which highlights the enabling character of global‐scale digital infrastructures and acknowledges active involvement of non‐firm actors in ecosystem governance.