Digital supply chains : unlocking barriers to digital goal setting

Abstract

"There is an urgency for digital supply chain adoption to create value and revenue streams, by leveraging innovative technologies in supply chain management. The uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic has further motivated the use of inter- and intra-organisational data to create agile and resilient supply chains. Implementing digital supply chains, however, is difficult and requires conceptual and strategic thinking. The subsequent lack of adoption can be assisted by insights on how to address digital supply chain challenges. The objective of this research was to provide a practical framework for managers to consider in the adoption of the first step of a digital supply chain strategy, being the digital goal setting step. The qualitative research focused on barriers and enablers that are relevant to digital goal setting and digital supply chains. South African managers were interviewed with insights obtained from seven digital supply chain adopters and seven non-adopters. Further insights were obtained from an interview with a digital supply chain consultant. A framework was developed that will be useful for managers to identify specific enabling initiatives to unlock barriers to digital goal setting or digital supply chains. Unique barrier and enabler themes for South African manufacturers were identified"