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A growing need for financing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has become a significant obstacle to the development of firms. To remove this barrier, the purpose of this paper is to examine how supply chain finance (SCF) assists the firms to improve their performance by utilizing the resource-based view (RBV). Furthermore, the present study also pursues to test the effect of trade digitization as a moderating variable in the relationship between SC finance and the firm performance.

Using data from the textile sector, the authors run confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS 24 and hierarchical linear regression model in SPSS 23 to measure the proposed model and hypotheses, respectively.

The study suggests that SCF significantly improves the SMEs performance. Moreover, trade digitization strengthens the relationship between SCF and SMEs performance. Thus, the current study significantly describes the firm RBV through SCF and trade digitization to predict the SMEs performance.

SMEs entrepreneurs or executives can optimize the working capital through SCF and enhance the visibility of transactions through digitization for improving SMEs performance. Moreover, SCF protects the SMEs due to its nature of risk mitigation strategy.

This study covered the unexplored gap in the previous literature of supply chain management by establishing the relationship between SCF and the firm performance empirically while identifying the role of trade digitization as moderating variable in the context of textile SMEs by employing RBV theory.

Little is known about the determinants of supply chain finance (SCF) adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. This study aims to address this relevant research gap and hence, draws on the resource-based view and transaction cost economies to empirically investigate five factors that make SCF adoption practicable among SMEs in Ghana.

The approach involves a sample of 257 SME managers/owners and modelling via structural equations modelling.

All five factors (innovative capability, information sharing, inter- and intra-firm collaboration, external financing and trade process digitization) were found to impact positively and significantly on SCF adoption. The findings provide SME managers/owners with a research model which guides them on how to settle the SCF process.

This paper used a cross-sectional survey, which makes it impossible to access changes over time. In addition, the use of quantitative method limits respondents from expressing their feelings fully. Using a mixed or qualitative methodology will provide avenues for future research.

This paper offers a completive advantage for Ghanaian SMEs to strengthen their relationships while collaborating with each other. The findings suggest that by adopting SCF solutions, SMEs can optimize their liquidity and working capital. The factors underpinning SCF adoption are of incredible attractiveness for SME managers/owners to discover the relevant practice of SCF solutions. SMEs should adopt SCF strategies for improving their capability to respond promptly to transactions.

This paper is among the few papers that have examined these five factors in a developing economy context. The study also provides new understanding of the factors that influence SCF adoption in the context of a developing economy.

The basis for this study on electronic transferable records (ETRs) in the context of digitalizing cross-border trade is established in this chapter. It illustrates how the growing trend toward paperless trade and technological improvements is changing trade operations. This chapter focuses on the need to look into ETRs because of their capacity to influence business transactions while navigating complex legal issues. The specific goals of the study are outlined, including a review of the advantages, legality, difficulties and best practices of ETRs. This study aims to shed light on the possible advantages and disadvantages of ETRs, the legal framework that controls their use and the best practices for their efficient implementation. This study also seeks to provide informative recommendations for businesses and people that are considering using ETRs.

This study explores the evolving world of ETRs and their crucial function in international trade. Multidimensional technique is used to examine the transformative potential of ETRs from a variety of research angles. The research design is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the literature that includes a wide range of reliable sources, including academic papers, business reports and legal documents. The comprehensive retrieval of essential material is ensured through keyword searches in renowned academic databases and industry resources. The qualitative synthesis of secondary sources further enhances this methodology and allows for a complex examination of the implications of ETRs. The case study analysis provides practical information on the benefits, hazards and practical applications of ETRs. Multifaceted aspects are uncovered via a thematic approach and qualitative investigation, including potential advantages, hazards, implementation plans and regulatory frameworks.

ETRs offer a range of potential advantages for cross-border trade, encompassing augmented efficiency, reduced costs and heightened security. Nonetheless, their implementation also presents legal challenges and risks, spanning security and privacy concerns, legal ambiguities and technical complexities. Consequently, it is crucial for individuals and businesses to meticulously assess and mitigate these risks through the integration of robust security protocols, staying informed about legal developments and adhering to pertinent regulatory stipulations. In spite of these hurdles, the trajectory of ETR adoption is anticipated to remain on an upward trajectory, driven by increasing recognition of their potential benefits and the concurrent evolution of legal frameworks and technical standards.

Research limitations included the following: lack of adoption of ETRs internationally; and legal diversity and different legal systems results in different consideration of the ETRs. It makes reaching a unified ETR system more difficult.

It is necessary to develop clear policies and procedures and establish well-defined policies and procedures governing ETR use. These should encompass security guidelines, data protection measures and adherence to legal mandates. Regular review and updates are imperative. Stay current on legal developments: In light of the continuously evolving legal and regulatory landscape pertaining to ETRs, businesses and individuals must stay abreast of pertinent changes and seek professional counsel when necessary. Collaborate with partners and stakeholders: To ensure harmonization and standardization in ETR deployment, active collaboration with partners, regulators and industry associations is vital.

Enhance awareness and education: Investment in awareness and educational initiatives is crucial. Decision-makers should organize training programs, workshops and seminars to enhance understanding of ETRs’ potential benefits in cross-border trade among stakeholders. Socially, the use of ETR can achieve several political advantages for the society. It minimizes risks of corruption through enhancing tracing and auditing abilities for relevant authorities making it more difficult to engage in corrupt practices. That can promote integrity within government and public procurement system.

The development of standardized technical frameworks and interoperable platforms for ETRs could enhance their seamless integration into existing trade systems. Additionally, investigating the integration of emerging technologies like blockchain, IoT and AI into ETR ecosystems could unlock innovative solutions to security, authenticity and data management concerns. This study examines how ETRs can radically alter how trade is conducted on a global scale. This paper examines ETRs’ role in improving cross-border trade digitization by examining their advantages, legal difficulties and implementation techniques. The conclusions will aid firms, decision-makers and attorneys in navigating the constantly changing world of trade agreements. The study’s ultimate goal is to offer takeaways that support effective, secure and legally compliant integration of ETRs, ensuring that they operate as a catalyst for improved global trade efficacy and efficiency.

Due to globalization, textile small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operations have become complex which raised the needs of risk-free financing solutions to support the SMEs’ daily processes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of supply chain (SC) finance, a risk-free financing solution, on SC effectiveness (SCE) in the context of textile SMEs by employing transaction cost (TC) approach.

The participants of the study were recruited from textile SMEs through a structured questionnaire. The proposed model and structural relationships were assessed by employing AMOS 24.0.

The results of this paper indicate that supply chain finance (SCF) has a significant effect on SCE. Furthermore, all proposed factors of SCF adoption have a positive and significant effect on SCF.

This study helps the SMEs executives or owners to adopt SCF as a secure financing scheme to reduce the credit TCs, optimize the firm working capital, reduce the risk of default, and improve SC effectiveness. SMEs and suppliers can build strong relationships while adopting the findings of this study. SMEs can engage the suppliers to work under strategic alliance through negotiation, collaboration, and work digitization, and extend their payment terms while providing an opportunity to the suppliers to get their payment back before a fixed time through discounting from financial institutions as needed.

The present study covered the gap related to SCF and SCE by identifying unique factors of SCF adoption which was ignored in the previous literature by employing TC approach.

The purpose of this study is to explore how the development of digital trade can provide new development prospects to China's foreign trade under the background of the gradual expansion of China's digital economy and the further release of policy dividends.

Using the methods of literature collection and induction, combined with traditional trade theory, this paper analyzes the characteristics and challenges of digital trade under the background of the digital economy.

The findings reveal that China's digital trade development still faces some risks, such as the containment of China's core technology, digital security and unbalanced development among regions. Considering these risks, China should break through core technical problem, participate in the formulation of international rules to ensure data security, give priority to the development of service trade and improve the unbalanced development of digital trade.

By analyzing the development status and characteristics of the digital economy and digital trade, this paper summarizes the challenges and comparative advantages faced by China's digital trade, and puts forward corresponding suggestions. These suggestions will allow China to take advantage of its rapid digital economy development and occupy a leading position in global digital trade.

This paper creatively expounds on the new development direction of digital trade from the perspective of comparative advantage and risks, and provides some suggestions to expedite China's digital trade development.

Although blockchain is often discussed, its actual diffusion seems to be varying for different industries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the blockchain technology diffusion in different industries through a combination of academic literature and social media (Twitter).

The insights derived from the academic literature and social media have been used to classify industries into five stages of the innovation-decision process, namely, knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation (Rogers, 1995).

Blockchain is found to be diffused in almost all industries, but the level of diffusion varies. The analysis highlights that manufacturing industry is at the knowledge stage. Further public administration is at persuasion stage. Subsequently, transportation, communications, electric, gas and sanitary services and trading industry had reached to the decision stage. Then, services industries have reached to implementation stage while finance, insurance and real estate industries are the innovators of blockchain technologies and have reached the confirmation stage of innovation-decision process.

Actual implementations of blockchain technology are still in its infancy stage for most of the industries. The findings suggest that specific industries are developing specific blockchain applications.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first study which is using social media data for investigating the diffusion of blockchain in industries. The results show that the combination of Twitter and academic literature analysis gives better insights into diffusion than a single data source.

The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize a list of key digitization enablers that can improve supply chain management (SCM). SCM is an important driver for organization's competitive advantage. The fierce competition in the market has forced companies to look the past conventional decision-making process, which is based on intuition and previous experience. The swift evolution of information technologies (ITs) and digitization tools has changed the scenario for many industries, including those involved in SCM.

The Best Worst Method (BWM) has been applied to evaluate, rank and prioritize the key digitization and IT enablers beneficial for the improvement of SC performance. The study also used additive value function to rank the organizations on their SC performance with respect to digitization enablers.

The total of 25 key enablers have been identified and ranked. The results revealed that “big data/data science skills”, “tracking and localization of products” and “appropriate and feasibility study for aiding the selection and adoption of big data technologies and techniques ” are the top three digitization and IT enablers that organizations need to focus much in order to improve their SC performance. The study also ranked the SC performance of the organizations based on digitization enablers.

The findings of this study will help the organizations to focus on certain digitization technologies in order to improve their SC performance. This study also provides an original framework for organizations to rank the key digitization enablers according to enablers relevant in their context and also to compare their performance with their counterparts.

This study seems to be the first of its kind in which 25 digitization enablers categorized in four main categories are ranked using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool. This study is also first of its kind in ranking the organizations in their SC performance based on weights/ranks of digitization enablers.

The border closure and lockdowns due to Covid-19 pandemic resulted in partial closure of many industrial and commercial complexes, halted the performance of key strategic sectors such as logistics and supply chains, and thus disrupted the global value chains and the economy. The authors argue, however, that the pursuit of survival has driven companies to innovate and use digitization to overcome the negative consequences of the pandemic. More specifically, in this paper the authors aim to assess the success and challenges faced by companies in digitization policy design, adoption and implementation and their effects on firms’ operation, outputs and customer base during Covid-19.

Sixty-one samples of the companies surveyed between 10 January and 30 April 2021 were analyzed, using the Krushkal–Wallis test and Independent-Samples Mann–Whitney U test to identify the relationships between variables including operation, overall output, customer base, digitization policy, technology use and implementation costs of new technologies.

Results revealed a positive impact of digitization on the operation and overall outputs, while no effect was observed on the customer base. Analysis also showed that only 1.8% of companies were able to fully implement digitization, and that the cost of technology prevented most companies from using emerging technology or implementing their digitization policy.

While the research has practical implications, it is not without flaws. For instance, the outcome of technology varies as per geographic area and people. The study was conducted in the Sultanate of Oman, a developing country in the Middle East region; therefore, it is difficult to generalize the outcomes suited to developed countries. The developed countries usually have a population quite used to the advanced technologies so some of the issues raised in the study might not work in the logistics and supply chain sectors of the developed countries. Such countries need separate studies.

The findings will have implications for both supply chain companies as well as the technology providers. The supply chain companies will invest in technology infrastructure and add technology as an important component in their business models. The technology providers will consider the costs of implementation and adoption issues of technology in the supply chain companies.

To the best of authors' knowledge, no work has been produced on logistics and supply chain companies considering the technological sustainability during the time of Covid-19. The study will improve understanding of the digitization policy design, adoption and implementation and their effects on logistics and supply chain companies’ performance.

The purpose of this chapter is to determine the basic characteristics of information economy, including consideration of the theoretical features and distinguishing the analytical aspects of functioning of this phenomenon under modern conditions. The authors offer a hypothesis that basic characteristics of information economy are transformed under the influence of digitization and the change in telecommunication interaction.

The following methodological tools were used: analytical introspection (determining estimate phenomena of the studied object with the help of practical materials analysis), theoretical cognition (grouping and synthesis of scientific studies of foreign and Russian scholars in the sphere of information economy), and group evaluation of phenomena (studying the modern regularities of information economy development).

The following conclusions are made: the theory of information economy is based on presenting information as a tool of economy management (information is the main economic value that creates national wealth); the modern idea of information economy is connected to the aspects of digital and telecommunication interaction; the information economy of the twenty-first century is aimed at monetization of information on households; and a new basic direction of information economy is information and program economy.

The sphere of application of the received results is rather wide. They will be of interest for practitioners, government employees, and researchers in the sphere of macro-economic development of the country during the period of transformation of the paradigm of economic growth. The main direction of future research is substantiation of approaches to formation of a new economic thought based on information and digital technologies.

As a countermeasure to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are implementing social distancing and mask-wearing. In this situation, the use of digital devices and untact activities are increasing. As a result, domestic and international e-commerce is increasing, and data is growing rapidly. Developed countries with advanced artificial intelligence and big data technologies have been striving to establish international regulations for digital trade in order to create a business environment that is advantageous for their own companies. This paper examines the e-commerce trend since the outbreak of COVID-19 and analyzes major issues related to digital trade rules under discussion. In particular, this paper pointed out that although Korea is recognized to be an advanced country considering its stage of industrial development and income level, the nation maintains the position of developing countries regarding digital trade. Based on this, this paper attempted to draw implications for the development of Korea's digital trade in the post COVID-19 world.