ROLE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN SUPPLY CHAIN COLLABORATION

Abstract

The current business environment is highly competitive with supply chains that are more complex, uncertain and interconnected with each other than it was before, because of the globalization concept. The supply chain collaboration is thus needed to facilitate improvements in coordination, visibility and performance among supply chain networks in organizations. The recent fast-growing trend of digital technologies has turned the conventional supply chains into integrated and data-driven networks to support real-time information sharing and collaborative decision-making. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation, and sophisticated analytics are technologies that are essential in facilitating transparency, trust, efficacy, and robustness in modern supply chains. The main aim of this research is to discuss the purpose of advanced technologies in improving the collaboration of the supply chain and supply chain performance. The paper also explores the effects of blockchain technology on partner trust within the supply chain and explores how the cost of implementation, cybersecurity, and availability of skilled labor can affect the adoption of technology. The study method adopted a quantitative research design and employed the structured questionnaire comprising of 21 close-ended questions that were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The sample size used was 74 supply chain professionals such as logistics, operations managers and procurement managers. The SPSS was used to perform statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The results show that hi-tech technologies positively and largely influence the supply chain partnering and performance. The implementation of blockchain technology was identified to increase greatly the trust of the supply chain partners through the advancement of transparency and data reliability. The barriers to technology implementation that were found to be significant to adoption were cost, cybersecurity and the availability of skills. The findings underscore strategic digital investment, employee training and strong data security provisions. This research adds to the body of empirical evidence research on the topic of digital supply chains and has practical implications on supply chain managers, who want to utilize advanced technologies to enhance collaboration and competitive advantage.The current business environment is highly competitive with supply chains that are more complex, uncertain and interconnected with each other than it was before, because of the globalization concept. The supply chain collaboration is thus needed to facilitate improvements in coordination, visibility and performance among supply chain networks in organizations. The recent fast-growing trend of digital technologies has turned the conventional supply chains into integrated and data-driven networks to support real-time information sharing and collaborative decision-making. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation, and sophisticated analytics are technologies that are essential in facilitating transparency, trust, efficacy, and robustness in modern supply chains. The main aim of this research is to discuss the purpose of advanced technologies in improving the collaboration of the supply chain and supply chain performance. The paper also explores the effects of blockchain technology on partner trust within the supply chain and explores how the cost of implementation, cybersecurity, and availability of skilled labor can affect the adoption of technology. The study method adopted a quantitative research design and employed the structured questionnaire comprising of 21 close-ended questions that were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. The sample size used was 74 supply chain professionals such as logistics, operations managers and procurement managers. The SPSS was used to perform statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, and regression analysis. The results show that hi-tech technologies positively and largely influence the supply chain partnering and performance. The implementation of blockchain technology was identified to increase greatly the trust of the supply chain partners through the advancement of transparency and data reliability. The barriers to technology implementation that were found to be significant to adoption were cost, cybersecurity and the availability of skills. The findings underscore strategic digital investment, employee training and strong data security provisions. This research adds to the body of empirical evidence research on the topic of digital supply chains and has practical implications on supply chain managers, who want to utilize advanced technologies to enhance collaboration and competitive advantage.