Digital transformation and sustainable performance: the mediating role of triple-A supply chain capabilities
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on resource orchestration theory, this paper aims to empirically investigate the relationships between digital transformation (DT), triple-A supply chain capabilities (i.e. agility, adaptability and alignment) and sustainable performance. The research focuses on the pharmaceutical industry, which best represents a business environment characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected at different echelons of a globally oriented pharmaceutical supply chain, with the focal company located in the Netherlands. Empirical data were analyzed with partial least squares – structural equation modelling.
Findings
The findings reveal that DT enhances the triple-A supply chain capabilities. Nevertheless, not all three capabilities are necessary to improve overall sustainable performance. The results highlight that, among the three, only supply chain agility and adaptability significantly mediate the relationship between DT and sustainable performance.
Originality/value
This research supports the literature affirming that not all the triple-A supply chain capabilities equally affect sustainable performance. Moreover, it deepens the understanding of how orchestrating the triple-A capabilities at a firm level fosters overall sustainable performance, facing resource scarcity and investments in DT.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the financial support from the Verona Chamber of Commerce (Italy), with special recognition to the late Riccardo Borghero, former Secretary General, for his interest in digital transformations and business logistics. We also thank Suzanne Hoogendoorn for her help with data collection. Finally, we express our gratitude to the editor and the three anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.
Citation
Mohaghegh, M., Blasi, S., Russo, I. and Baldi, B. (2024), "Digital transformation and sustainable performance: the mediating role of triple-A supply chain capabilities", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-02-2023-0098
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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