**Morocco**: A new study investigates the impact of digital supply chain practices on industry agility and innovation in sectors like agri-food and automotive, emphasising the need for targeted investments in digital technologies to enhance performance in rapidly evolving markets.
A comprehensive study has emerged focused on the transformative effects of digital supply chain practices within Moroccan industries, particularly highlighting sectors such as agri-food, textile, automotive, and aerospace. The investigation, which spans from July to November 2024, sets out to analyse how six crucial dimensions of digital supply chains influence supply chain agility and subsequently drive innovation performance in these emerging market contexts.
This research is timely, considering the rapid growth and interest in digital transformation across various industries. It aims to establish direct relationships between digital supply chain elements—specifically, digital performance measurement, digital information technology, digital suppliers, digital manufacturing, digital logistics and inventory, and digital client management—and their impact on organizational agility and innovation.
A literature review within the study indicates that while the integration of digital technologies—such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and big data analytics—has significantly transformed traditional supply chain management, existing research remains fragmented. Previous studies have often treated digitalization as a monolithic construct rather than dissecting the integral components that influence agility and innovation performance separately.
According to the findings, agility is hypothesised to serve as a mediating factor that enhances the link between digital supply chain components and innovation outcomes. The study reinforces this by situating agility within the dynamic capabilities framework, suggesting that companies must develop both digital assets and the agility required to adapt to rapid technological and market changes.
Data were collected from supply chain management professionals across diverse Moroccan industries, with a total of 634 valid surveys returned after initial submissions were filtered for completeness. The sample comprises a majority of middle-aged professionals, predominantly male, reflecting the gender composition typically seen within these fields. Participants represented key sectors, with significant representation from agri-food and textile industries.
Assessment of the collected data revealed a strong correlation between specified digital tools and supply chain agility. For instance, digital performance measurement and digital information technology were confirmed as critical drivers boosting agility through better monitoring and integration of operational data. Conversely, the study noted a counterintuitive finding regarding digital manufacturing, where its direct influence on agility was negative, prompting consideration of potential operational complexities associated with advanced manufacturing technologies.
The relationship between supply chain agility and innovation performance proved robust, affirming that agile supply chains foster an environment conducive to innovation. Specifically, the study posits that while digital suppliers and clients were not found to directly influence agility, their contributions remain significant within a broader integrated digital strategy.
In addition to theoretical contributions, the research offers practical insights for managers seeking to enhance their organizations’ responsiveness and innovation capabilities. The findings underline the necessity of targeted investments in specific digital supply chain dimensions to achieve improved agility and, consequently, enhanced innovation performance.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this research provides a foundational understanding of the mechanisms by which modern supply chains can leverage digital technologies to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly volatile market. Future inquiries are suggested to delve deeper into context-specific factors that may further elucidate the intricate relationships between digital supply chains, agility, and innovation performance.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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