Abstract:

Global supply chains have become increasingly complex and vulnerable under the frequent external disruptions caused by the unpredictable economy. Manufacturing firms face growing challenges in managing supply chain risks while maintaining resilience to remian and facility the financial performance. Therefore, this study aims to examine how Industry 4.0 adoption and digital supply chain capabilities enhance supply chain resilience through supply chain risk management, with information processing capability serving as a key supporting mechanism. Grounded in Information Processing Theory and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, this study adopts a quantitative research design. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 215 managers involved in supply chain operations across Chinese manufacturing firms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the proposed relationships among Industry 4.0 adoption, digital supply chain sensing and responding capabilities, information processing capability, supply chain risk management, supply chain resilience, and financial performance. Reliability and validity were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results indicate that Industry 4.0 adoption significantly and positively influences digital supply chain sensing and responding capabilities. And Digital capabilities contribute positively to supply chain risk management, which in turn enhances supply chain resilience in terms of agility and robustness. Supply chain risk management plays a key mediating role between digital supply chain capabilities and resilience. Furthermore, supply chain agility positively affects financial performance. However, the direct effect of robustness on financial performance is not statistically significant. Information processing capability partially strengthens the relationship between digital sensing capability and supply chain risk management.

Research limitations/implications: This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and focus on Chinese manufacturing firms. Nevertheless, it contributes to the literature by clarifying the mechanisms through which digital supply chain capabilities and information processing ability jointly enhance risk management and resilience. Practically, the findings provide guidance for managers seeking to improve resilience and financial outcomes through Industry 4.0-driven digital investments. This study develops an integrated framework linking Industry 4.0 adoption, digital supply chain capabilities, information processing capability, supply chain risk management, resilience, and financial performance. By empirically distinguishing sensing and responding capabilities and revealing the conditional role of information processing, this research extends information processing theory and offers new insights into building resilient and financially sustainable supply chains.

Please choose your submission type: Full Paper

Primary Track: Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Keywords: Supply chain;Supply Chain: technology, artificial intelligence, big data

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Ms. Zhilin Li