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Purpose: The emergence of the COVID-19 epidemic has considerably increased the intricacy of information, exacerbating the difficulties firms encounter in efficiently processing and understanding accurate data and knowledge. Consequently, the COVID-19 epidemic has profoundly exacerbated production ambiguity for firms, thereby disrupting their regular business operations and supply chain activities. Digital technologies (DTs) are essential tools for firms to process and interpret information and knowledge, thereby improving their resilience against supply chain interruptions. Design/methodology/approach: This research investigates the effect of digital technologies on firm resilience throughout COVID-19, utilizing PLS-SEM and artificial neural networks (ANN) derived from a comprehensive survey of Pakistani manufacturing firms. Findings: Our research assesses the mediating role of supply chain integration, memory, and absorptive capacity, as well as the moderating influence of information complexity. The outcomes demonstrate that supply chain integration (SCI), memory (SCM), and absorptive capacity (SCAC) mediate digital technologies' influence on firm resilience. Moreover, in situations where information is highly complex, DTs have a greater effect on a firm's resilience. Originality/value: The results enhance our comprehension and awareness of the resilience-related effects of DTs and offer significant management insights for strengthening firm resilience in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper investigates the role of institutional pressures (IPs) and supply chain integration (SCI) in driving the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices. It is hypothesised that, responding to IPs, firms might adopt higher levels of SCI in the attempt to implement CE practices. Design/methodology/approach: A research model is developed and tested on a cross-sectional sample of 150 multi-national enterprises (MNEs). Textual content from corporate sustainability reports is used to measure the constructs of interest through an advanced coding approach. Findings: Findings show that IPs are driving the adoption of CE practices primarily through the mediation of SCI; the prominent roles of coercive regulatory pressures (CRPs) and normative pressures (NPs) are also highlighted. CRPs influence on CE practices is partially mediated by SCI, with NPs influence being fully mediated by it. Practical implications: The study shows that SCI is a key mechanism that lies in between IPs and CE practices; as such, organisations interested in implementing CE practices need to be aware of requirements for achieving higher levels of SCI. Originality/value: This empirical study is the first large scale analysis that conceptualises how MNE-driven supply chains adopt CE practices. The study empirically validates the model and identifies research avenues in supply chain management (SCM) research to support the adoption of CE practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New technology such as 3D printing, robotic manufacturing, and the Internet of things can shorten the production time of mass customization (MC) products, enhance the self-design fun of consumers, and improve channel integration connectivity. In this study, we examine the impact of MC waiting time and self-design fun from the purchase of MC products on supply chain integration. We consider a supply chain consisting of one manufacturer, one retailer, and one customizer. The manufacturer produces and sells standardized products through the retailer, whereas the customizer sells customized products to consumers directly. The customizer can decide whether to integrate with the manufacturer (i.e., manufacturer–customizer integration) or with the retailer (i.e., retailer–customizer integration). We find that manufacturer–customizer integration can achieve a win–win–win outcome for all three supply chain members when the MC waiting time is within a moderate range and the probability of consumers being satisfied with the product quality is high, but retailer–customizer integration cannot achieve such an outcome, as the manufacturer will not be benefited if it does not participate in the integration. Furthermore, integration reduces the customizer's investment in the level of self-design fun, which implies that the negative effect owing to the low level of self-design fun in the supply chain integration can be compensated by the competition mitigation effect owing to supply chain integration. With endogenized self-design fun, the achievability of a win–win–win outcome for all three supply chain members in the manufacturer–customizer integration will remain unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing Industry 4.0 technologies has been recognized to facilitate data‐driven decision‐making and real‐time operational insights. While such technologies are poised to streamline supply chains for increased efficiency, the nexus between these technologies and environmental sustainability remains underexplored. This study applies the resource‐based view and network theories to assess the role of Industry 4.0 in fostering eco‐product innovation through supply chain integration. Data from 496 Indian manufacturing firms were analyzed using structural equation modeling to probe the relationships between Industry 4.0 adoption, supply chain integration, and eco‐product innovation capability. Results demonstrate that Industry 4.0 technologies have a positive direct effect on supply chain integration. However, when considering the capability for eco‐product innovation, the role of Industry 4.0 is contingent upon the degree of supply chain integration at upstream, internal, and downstream stages. The findings reveal that supply chain integration acts as a pivotal mediator in harnessing Industry 4.0 for eco‐product innovation. The direct influence of Industry 4.0 on eco‐innovation capability was found to be insignificant, underscoring the integrated approach to supply chain management as critical for environmental advancements. This work contributes a nuanced understanding of how manufacturers can strategically employ Industry 4.0 to bolster their environmental and competitive positioning, providing a comprehensive framework for enhancing eco‐product innovation capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain infrastructures' promising benefits and tremendous growth revolutionised supply chain; especially for the highly concerned industry with integrity issues such as halal food. Drawing on the technology, organisation, environment framework and diffusion of innovation theory, this study investigates the factors that affect halal food SMEs (HFSMEs). The questionnaires covering 500 halal-certified SMEs were conducted in Malaysia. The results showed that the theory of diffusion of innovation (DOI) and technological-organisational-environmental (TOE) model was tested with 175 respondents, showing top management support, trialability, external support, and competitive pressure are the critical factors influencing HFSMEs' intention to adopt BT. In contrast, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, uncertainty and security, observability, organisational readiness, and government regulations show no effect on intention. In addition, supply chain integration (SCI) is a moderating factor in diffusing BT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated supply chain management is essential for enhancing procurement efficiency and project outcomes in international engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects. Despite its acknowledged importance, there is a paucity of understanding regarding the precise effects of supply chain integration on procurement processes in this context. This research analyzes 45 projects overseen by prominent Chinese international contractors to bridge this gap. The research employs Pearson correlation analysis to identify robust correlations among critical components of supply chain integration, procurement management, and procurement performance. Essential elements, including operational performance, procurement contract management, and stakeholder engagement, are identified as critical determinants of project success. The study seeks to examine how international EPC contractors incorporate the complete procurement management process via supply chain integration. Contractors can improve operational efficiency and procurement management by forming partnerships with stakeholders to acquire and integrate resources, hence enhancing project outcomes. This ongoing enhancement process improves procurement efficiency and bolsters the competitiveness of Chinese contractors in the global EPC market. The study underscores the efficiency and sustainability of procurement processes, demonstrating how optimized supply chain integration advances broader sustainability objectives by minimizing waste, enhancing resource utilization, and promoting environmentally and socially responsible procurement practices in international projects. The research offers significant empirical data and insights for academic inquiries and actual company implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study aims to assess the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in retail stores to improve supply chain visibility and integration. Design/methodology/approach – This study employed a qualitative methodology with data collected using semi-structured interviews from a sample selected using purposive sampling. The population consists of 48 employees, of which 6 were selected for the sample as they worked directly with IoT and supply chain issues. Participants were from a SPAR franchise store (Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regalmatig). Findings – Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data from the interviews. The themes identified include supply chain visibility, supply chain integration and IoT. The findings indicate that the main IoT used is an organisational-wide system, the SIGMA (SPAR Integrated Goods Management Application) system. Other technologies that aid supply chain visibility and integration are geotags, the internet, WhatsApp social media applications, emails and scanners. Practical implications – From the findings, this study recommends that IoT systems should be frequently updated to reflect current trends and that IoT systems should enable the integration of small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) suppliers. Originality/value – The Fourth Industrial Revolution has ushered in new technologies that revolutionise business operations. Among these technologies is the IoT, which has ushered in a new connectivity area. However, there is little research on the use of IoT for supply chain visibility and integration in the South African retail sector. It provides sector-specific insights and recommendations for retailers, which might not be covered in general supply chain management literature.

The development of each relationship in the supply chain involves the participation of people who must be committed to the organization’s objectives. This research aims to develop an instrument to assess the level of development of soft skills that contribute to improving supply chain integration (SCI). The proposed instrument identifies different levels of difficulty in carrying out the same action within the competencies assessed, with the support of the Item Response Theory (IRT). This instrument can be used to identify the level of qualification of employees to promote SCI and serves as a guide in the development of training to qualify teams, periodic evaluations, and selection processes, making it possible to align the competencies of new hires with the work policy adopted by the company. Future research could include new competencies to expand the scale’s assessment capacity and keep up to date with market demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses may face different challenges in the realization and management of supply chain activities. To cope with these challenges and be successful in supply chain management, companies need supply chain strategies that are suitable for their product structures and objectives and strategic collaborations based on co-operation among supply chain members. In addition, to control and improve the results of the activities and strategies, the performance of logistics activities, which have a large share in the economic development of companies, should be measured and managed correctly. Therefore, supply chain strategies, supply chain integration, and logistics performance measurements have a critical importance in supply chain management, where the competition of companies is experienced and complexity is increasing day by day. In this framework, this study aims to investigate the relationship between the supply chain strategies and logistics performance of an enterprise and whether supply chain integration has a mediating role in this relationship. For this purpose, 417 data samples were collected and analyzed from the top 1000 exporter companies determined by the Turkish Exporters Assembly by a survey method, and the findings are analyzed and discussed. In the literature, there is no study that analyzes the relationship between the variables determined in this research from a mediator variable perspective. Therefore, this study presents original research in this field, and it is expected that the findings of the research will provide important benefits to companies and researchers and offer a new perspective to the literature. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that there is a significant and positive relationship between the supply chain strategies determined by companies and their logistics performance and supply chain integration. There is also a significant and positive relationship between supply chain integration and logistics performance. In addition, it has been concluded that supply chain integration plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between supply chain strategies and logistics performance. These results suggest the importance of supply chain strategies and supply chain integration in improving logistics performance. Therefore, in line with the research results, it is suggested that, to use supply chains for competitive advantage, managers should ensure supply chain integration by determining the right supply chain strategies in accordance with their objectives and product structures, and thus increase their logistics performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global economic integration and rapid technological advancements transform international business, international engineering contracting has become essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper investigates the significant impact of China's strategic initiatives, notably the "Going Global" strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), on the operational practices of Chinese enterprises involved in overseas investments. Central to this transformation is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, which emphasizes the integration of supply chain management and stakeholder collaboration to enhance performance in international EPC projects and underscores the crucial role of these elements in promoting sustainability. Incorporating insights from social network data analysis, this study reveals that contractors collaborating with various stakeholders—such as owners/consulting engineers, domestic and foreign customs departments, and group headquarters/design parties—exhibit a high degree of similarity in personnel profiles. This suggests that the internal organizational structure and personnel allocation of contractors could be optimized to enhance operational efficiency, aligning with the collaborative patterns identified. This study addresses a critical research gap by exploring how effective supply chain management and collaborative stakeholder engagement within multinational EPC projects contribute to sustainable outcomes. Employing advanced social network analysis software, the research examines the complex interactions among stakeholders and their influence on procurement dynamics. Findings indicate that strong relational networks and strategic collaborations significantly enhance procurement efficiency and project success, underscoring the importance of supply chain integration. Ultimately, integrating supply chain management principles into the EPC model not only offers innovative perspectives for advancing sustainability in international projects but also provides actionable insights for improving project outcomes within the BRI framework. This research underscores the pivotal role of supply chain organization and stakeholder cooperation in achieving sustainability objectives, thereby enriching the discourse on sustainable enterprise operation and supply chain management in the context of global initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chemical industry has great potential to damage the environment due to its production activities. Environmental pollution can cause threats such as increased global warming, decreased biodiversity, and destruction of resources. These threats reveal the danger of sustainability. In the coming years, green strategies focusing on sustainability will create significant competitive advantages for businesses in the chemical industry. Having a green competitive advantage depends on many factors. This study first attempts to determine the effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on green competitive advantage (GCA). In addition, the study also evaluates the effect of supply chain agility (SCA) on SCI. With a risk management culture (RMC), SCA increases, and as a consequence, supply chain resilience (SCR) emerges. In this context, the study also examines the effect of RMC on SCA. Methods: The data required to test the hypotheses put forward within the study's purpose were collected through questionnaires. The questionnaires were applied to 239 companies operating in the chemical sector in Turkey. First, the measurement model was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Then, the hypotheses within the research were tested by Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results: According to the analyses, supply chain RMC positively affects SCA. SCA positively affects all dimensions of SCI. Each of the sub-dimensions of SCI positively affects GCA. Conclusions: This study has revealed the importance of the sub-dimensions of SCI in creating a GCA. In addition, the effects of SCA on integration are also emphasized. No study in the literature reveals the effect of SCI in creating GCA in the chemical industry. In addition, the study also reveals the importance of SCR in terms of SCI. In this context, this study provides noteworthy information for business managers and researchers who realise the importance of having a GCA in the coming period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the direct impact of different types of supply chain integration on supply chain resilience in new energy vehicle manufacturing enterprises. It also elucidates the mediating role of supply chain risk management and the moderating role of regulatory uncertainty, proposing nine research hypotheses. Finally, it employs SPSS 26.0 software to analyze the research hypotheses using collected 309 sample data. The research results indicate the following: (1) Internal integration, supplier integration, and customer integration all positively influence supply chain resilience, with supplier integration having the most significant impact. (2) Supply chain risk management mediates the relationship between internal integration, supplier integration, customer integration, and supply chain resilience. (3) Regulatory uncertainty significantly negatively moderates the impact of internal integration and customer integration on supply chain resilience, but it does not significantly negatively moderate the impact of supplier integration on supply chain resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to establish the link between blockchain technology adoption in the maritime and shipping industry and its impact on maritime supply chain integration via a systematic review of both the academic and practice literature. In total 148 articles were identified and analysed. Blockchain applications identified from the literature are categorized into three domains: document management, transaction management, and cargo/vessel/terminal operations. An analysis of the benefits and challenges that influence the deployment of blockchain technology for maritime supply chain integration leads to the development of an integrated and extended Technology, Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework. This study is among the first to examine the current state of blockchain diffusion within the maritime supply chain, making a significant contribution to the field. The extended TOE framework offers guidance for future research and understanding of the relationship between blockchain adoption and maritime supply chain integration. It can be used to assist organisations in successfully adopting blockchain technology in their supply chain operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper analyses the effect of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance. The study explores the impact of mediating variables such as supply chain flexibility and capabilities and the moderating role of supply chain integration in the relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain performance in Indian manufacturing firms. The study builds on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model to conceptualise circular economy practices that influence supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility, impacting sustainable supply chain performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted an online survey questionnaire distributed to managers of Indian manufacturing firms adopting circular economy practices. The data were analysed using SPSS Amos 25 and PROCESS macros. Findings: The results suggest a positive impact of circular economy practices on sustainable supply chain performance in manufacturing firms. In addition, a supply chain manager's relationship with retailers is improved in the presence of supply chain capabilities and flexibility. Supply chain integration further strengthens this relationship as a moderating variable. Originality/value: By examining the literature on circular economy practices and sustainable supply chain management, this study contributes to bridging the gap between supply chain capabilities, integration and flexibility using the S-O-R model. This study is possibly among the first to explore and provide empirical evidence on how circular economy practices in manufacturing firms can impact supply chain managers' experiences and thus help to improve environmental well-being. Both academics and business professionals might find these contributions interesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the antecedent of supply chain transparency (SCT) and its impact on mitigating supply chain risk (SCRISK) and enhancing supply chain resilience (SCR). Furthermore, this study seeks to examine the moderating effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on the relationship between SCT and SCRISK, as well as SCT and SCR. Utilizing hierarchical regression on survey data from 332 Chinese companies, the results have revealed that SCI had a significant positive effect on SCT, which further leads to decreased SCRISK and increased SCR. Meanwhile, SCI negatively moderates the relationship between SCT and SCRISK but has no moderating effect on the relationship between SCT and SCR. By examining the critical role of SCT, the research opens the black box of the relationship between SCI and supply chain risk and resilience management and provides insights into how firms can establish and utilize SCT more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of supply chain integration, management commitment, and sustainable supply chain practices on the performance of non-profit organizations in Afghanistan. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) with 169 participants, it finds that supply chain integration enhances sustainable supply chain practices and overall performance. Management commitment improves sustainable supply chain practice, while supply chain challenges significantly affect organizational performance. FsQCA reveals key factors like sustainable supply chain practices and management commitment, highlighting their contribution to positive outcomes. Overcoming supply chain challenges within an integrated framework is crucial for non-profit performance enhancement.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America demonstrate productivity levels of 32% and 43%, respectively, when compared to large companies. This lower productivity places them at a disadvantage in accessing the global value chain. According to the OECD/ECLAC (2012), factors that help SMEs improve their business performance include access to knowledge and information (from customers and suppliers) and the implementation of managerial systems, such as supply chain integration (SCI). This research examines the relationship between SCI and the business performance of metal-mechanics manufacturing SMEs in the metropolitan zone of Guadalajara (ZMG), Jalisco, Mexico. The findings indicate that supplier integration, internal integration, and customer integration have a positive and significant impact on business performance.

Digital devices have revolutionized customer shopping behavior, giving rise to omni-channel retailing. Omni-channel retailing seamlessly integrates physical and digital channels, touchpoints, and supply chain operations. Owing to the rapidly evolving technology landscape, retailers struggle to discern the right investment approach to digitally transform their supply chains. Despite the widespread assumption that investment in supply chain integration (SCI) is vital for omni-channel retailing, empirical studies investigating the underlying mechanisms behind this process are limited. This research seeks to understand how and why investment ability catalyzes omni-channel SCI. Utilizing a two-phase abductive qualitative research design, Phase 1 involved 17 semi-structured interviews with senior managers from nine large South African omni-channel retailers. In Phase 2, content analysis of 40 integrated annual reports (IARs) from omni-channel retailers was conducted. This study identifies two crucial investment trade-off decisions that drive omni-channel SCI: financial and human resources. This demonstrates that strategically aligned investment ability fosters scalability and agility, playing a catalytic role in omni-channel SCI. The findings contribute valuable insights into omni-channel retailing and supply chain literature, providing practical guidance for managers navigating the complexities of investing in omni-channel SCI initiatives. These investment guidelines could accelerate the digital transformation and SCI processes for omni-channel retailers.

Supply chain integration (SCI) has been considered an antecedent of sustainability performance (SP) by some studies; however, empirical findings on the nexus between SCI and SP in the existing literature are inconsistent. The study aims to provide an extensive literature review on the SCI–SP relationship. We propose a conceptual research framework to investigate the SCI–SP relationship with consideration of the effects of contextual moderators. A meta-analysis is adopted to analyse the sample of 60 selected empirical papers focusing on this relationship. The results provide evidence of a positive relationship between SCI and SP, which is affected by the two types of moderating variables: operationalisation of SP construct and control variables (industry sector, economic development, and the country's logistics capabilities). We find that SCI has the greatest impact on economic SP and the lowest impact on social SP. The SCI–SP relationship is more robust in the service industry than in the manufacturing industry. When a country's logistics capabilities increase, SCI's influence on SP becomes weaker. The results of this study are drawn from extant empirical research, and thus the validity and reliability of these findings rely on the validity and reliability of the original studies. This study is the first meta-analysis to examine the vital relationship between SCI and SP and adopted a country's logistics capabilities as a moderator. The results offer managerial insights regarding integration dimensions that positively affect various measures of SP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of digital technologies, digital transformation is becoming a critical way for enterprises to improve their performance. However, the current literatures lack sufficient research on whether and how the usage of digital technology improve supply chain performance. Based-on resource-based view and information processing theory, this study examines the impact of digital transformation on supply chain performance, as well as the mediating role of supply chain integration. The proposed hypotheses are tested empirically using data collected from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms for the years 2015 to 2022. The results show that digital transformation has a significant impact on supply chain performance, in which supply chain integration plays a partial mediating role. After a series of endogeneity and robustness tests, the results remain valid. Further analysis also reveals that the impact of digital transformation on supply chain performance is more significant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) than for large enterprises. In addition, firm size has a significant heterogeneous effect on this relationship, which implies that digital transformation is better able to improve SMEs' supply chain performance. The findings provide guidance for enhancing supply chain performance through digital transformation and supply chain integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industria Textila is the property of Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Textile si Pielarie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This qualitative study explores the influence of organizational culture on supply chain integration, focusing on how various cultural attributes within organizations impact the seamless operation and collaboration across the supply chain. Organizational culture, defined by shared values, beliefs, and practices, profoundly affects the behavior of employees and their interactions within and outside the organization. The study delves into the intricate relationship between organizational culture and supply chain integration, examining how cultural factors such as trust, communication, leadership, and teamwork contribute to or hinder effective supply chain management. By conducting a comprehensive literature review, gathering qualitative data through interviews and case studies, and analyzing the results, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the critical role that organizational culture plays in achieving supply chain integration. The findings reveal that organizations with a strong, cohesive culture that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and adaptability are better positioned to integrate their supply chains effectively. Conversely, organizations with fragmented or misaligned cultures face significant challenges in achieving seamless supply chain operations. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of cultivating a positive organizational culture to enhance supply chain performance and offers practical recommendations for organizations aiming to improve their supply chain integration through cultural transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Small Business International Review is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Contabilidad y Administracion de Empresas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the role of organizational and technological enablers and their arrangement and alignment with the external environment to facilitate supply chain integration (SCI), which consequently improves operational performance. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a structural equation modeling approach and the data from 307 manufacturing firms from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey version VI for hypotheses testing. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that (1) the alignment and particular arrangement of the sociotechnical organizational factors enable the SCI of a firm, (2) suitable organizational arrangements help in leveraging SCI under environmental pressures, and (3) SCI leverages the relationship between sociotechnical organizational factors and operational performance of the firm. Practical implications: This paper informs managers that SCI leverages the operational performance of firms under heightened environmental pressures. Developing suitable manufacturing technologies infrastructure followed by organizational practices aligned with the manufacturing technologies make it easier to realize SCI. Originality/value: This study explores the interaction of technological, organizational, and environmental factors as driving and enabling factors that help achieve SCI. Firms that develop an open and collaborative environment and use communication and integrative technologies to complement their work practices better cope with external pressures. These modern forms of working and the use of technologies facilitate SCI and leverage it effectively to positively impact firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption in business operations has been steadily growing, its impact on supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) remains unclear in the existing body of literature. This paper seeks to evaluate the influence of ICT adoption on SCI and SCP, delving into the presence of mediator and moderator variables. Using survey data collected from 259 participants in the dairy supply chain in Iringa, Tanzania, this quantitative study employs structural equation modeling to examine the impact of ICT adoption on SCI and performance, as well as to explore the role of SCI as a mediating factor and the moderating effect of age, gender, skills, and education level. The findings indicate that ICT adoption has no significant direct impact on SCP, as this relationship is entirely mediated by the three levels of SCI (SI, II, and CI), revealing how this connection is influenced by skills and education level. The study offers a comprehensive exploration of ICT adoption within the context of food processing supply chain per-formance, demonstrating how companies can harness the benefits of ICT adoption through SCI. It also underscores that ICT adoption alone does not enhance S CP; rather it is in tandem with a stable SCI that such improvements can be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]