Enablers of supply chain integration: a technology-organization-environment view

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically explore the effects and interaction effect of human resources and digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) on supply chain integration (SCI) and how their roles are influenced by competition.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, this study builds and tests a holistic model based on the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) project database.

Findings

The results show that human resources and DMTs have significant positive effects on three dimensions of SCI. Competition positively moderates the effects of human resources on customer integrations, negatively moderates the effects of human resource on internal integration, but does not moderate the effects of human resources on supplier integration. Besides, the moderating effect of competition has not been found in the relationships between DMTs and three SCI dimensions.

Originality/value

By investigating the effects of human resources and DMTs on SCI practices in the context of competition, this study contributes to the literature on SCI, DMTs and the TOE framework as well as offers practical insights that help manufacturing firms to promote SCI more effectively and efficiently.

Citation

Tian, M., Huo, B., Park, Y. and Kang, M. (2021), "Enablers of supply chain integration: a technology-organization-environment view", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 121 No. 8, pp. 1871-1895. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2020-0564