Methodological Literature Review on the Impact of Digital Technology Adoption on Supply Chain Performance

Abstract

This paper provides a methodological literature review on the approaches used to study the effect of digital technology adoption on supply chain performance, by systematically sampling 15 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science. The paper identifies the dominant methodologies, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, and identifies gaps in the literature. The findings suggest two main themes of quantitative methodologies (especially structural equation modeling (SEM)), and under studied qualitative or mixed methodologies. This paper calls for a methodologically balanced future towards a mixed, three-phase method approach which includes qualitative exploration, quantitative validation and triangulation. It provides a more holistic and defensible model for future empirical research. We also detail the normative process we took to ensure methodological rigor and transparency, including our use of standard practices such as PRISMA reporting, and using data visualization techniques of word clouds and co-authorship networks.

Keywords:  Digital technologies, Supply chain, Methodology, Structural Equation Modeling, PRISMA, Mixed methods.

JEL Classification : M11, M15, L23, O33, C83.

Paper type: Theoretical Research