Digital leadership and supply chain maturity: The role of digital transformation in sustainable performance

Abstract

Purpose: Responding to the growing needs of the global markets to be sustainable amid the rapid digitalization of the economy, the proposed study aims at exploring the degree to which Digital Leadership and Supply Chain Digital Maturity can collectively contribute to the Sustainable Supply Chain Performance and Digital Transformation Practices serves as a intervening factor between the two variables.

Design/methodology/approach: Using the Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT) as a tool of analysis, the study follows the quantitative, cross-sectional methodology, gathering information among professionals (384) carrying out their functions in supply-chain and digital-transformation fields. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is used through Smart-PLS 4.0 in order to test the relationship as postulated in the construct.

Findings: The findings show that Digital Leadership and Supply Chain Digital Maturity have a significant effect on Sustainable Supply Chain Performance, whereas Digital Transformation Practices are the mediating variable without which the connection between the two variables is not possible.

Research limitations/implications: Such ?ndings underline the necessity to align digital capabilities played at the internal level and strategic transformation efforts in order to achieve sustainability goals.

Practical implications: As a theoretical contribution, the study transfers DCT to the digital supply-chain setting and provides managers a feasible framework in a quest to use digitalization to gain sustainable competitive advantage.

Social implications: The study highlights the role of aligning digital capabilities and transformation efforts in achieving sustainability goals, which can contribute to broader economic and environmental benefits in global markets.

Originality/value: As a theoretical contribution, the study transfers DCT to the digital supply-chain setting and provides managers a feasible framework in a quest to use digitalization to gain sustainable competitive advantage.