The digital transformation in supply chain

Abstract

Purpose of the article The aim of the study is to explore executives' attitudes towards the use of trends and technologies in supply chain.

Methodology/methods A primary survey conducted in May 2018-September 2018 to 204 executives in North-Eastern Greece. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation conducted to identify the main factors that affect executives' attitudes towards the use of digital trends and the technologies in supply chain. We checked the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy (KMO) value to be suitable for factor analysis. Chi-square value for Bartlett's test of sphericity was also checked. Regression analysis indicated which are the main characteristics. For all the analysis the statistical package SPSS 22 was used.

Scientific aim The aim is to investigate whether companies are overlooking emerging opportunities, such as those in supply chains. This may influence companies for resource reallocation and strategically shift resources to create more value and deliver higher returns to shareholders. It identifies the factors towards those trends and technologies and classifies them into groups.

Findings Executives' attitudes towards the use of trends and technologies in supply chain are affected by the type of company, year of establishment, number of employees, technological infrastructure. The main factors revealed in regression analysis are mobility, human factor and pricing.

Conclusions (limits, implications etc) The supply chain world has transformed fairly quickly over the last few decades. The low rate of supply-chain digitisation to date has much to do with the capabilities of the technologies that companies have available. The degree of transformation for supply chains depends on the industry sector and company. This preliminary research could not be considered as an indicative for generalization of results. The sample of respondents is only from one part of Greece. Enlargement and reopening of the investigation in future years will record more accurately the views of executives in order to provide safer conclusions.