IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/teinso/v84y2026ics0160791x25002714.html

A dual-path driving mechanism study of digital transformation on supply chain adaptation from the asymmetric network power perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Peng, Chen
  • Zhang, Yunsheng
  • Lai, Liubin

Abstract

This study examines how digital transformation reshapes supply chain governance through the natural and social dimensions of technological interdependence. Although previous studies have confirmed that digital transformation enhances supply chain performance by improving internal efficiency and strengthening external network collaboration, they generally overlook both the complex interdependence structure inherent in the underlying technological system and the moderating role of asymmetric power within this structure. Analyzing 564 Chinese high-tech firms (2003–2022), we find: (1) an inverted U-shaped relationship between digital transformation and supply chain adaptability; (2) asymmetric network power helps firms improve technology-organization alignment and reduce governance costs for interdependent relationships, thereby enhancing supply chain adaptability; (3) asymmetric network power 's moderating effect increasingly manifests in reshaping supply chain rules as digital technologies evolve. We posit that digital transformation reshapes supply chain synergy through two pathways: technological sovereignty competition and organizational restructuring, with its effectiveness being contingent upon the structure of technological interdependence. Firms should develop resilient modular architectures, prioritize low-cost scenarios, and promote industry-wide graded interoperability standards with open-source baselines. Governments need frameworks balancing sovereignty governance and open innovation to mitigate technology blockade risks and unlock technological value through coordinated evolution of institutions, standards, and organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng, Chen & Zhang, Yunsheng & Lai, Liubin, 2026. "A dual-path driving mechanism study of digital transformation on supply chain adaptation from the asymmetric network power perspective," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:84:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x25002714
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103081
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X25002714
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103081?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chien-Hua Tsai, 2023. "Supply chain financing scheme based on blockchain technology from a business application perspective," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 320(1), pages 441-472, January.
    2. Askerbekov, Dauren & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & Roy Ghatak, Ranjit & Joshi, Rohit & Kandasamy, Jayakrishna & Luiz de Mattos Nascimento, Daniel, 2024. "Embracing drones and the Internet of drones systems in manufacturing – An exploration of obstacles," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Balasubramanian, Sreejith & Shukla, Vinaya & Sethi, Jaspreet Singh & Islam, Nazrul & Saloum, Roy, 2021. "A readiness assessment framework for Blockchain adoption: A healthcare case study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    4. Jae Wook Kim & Jin Hwa Rhee & Chul Hung Park, 2024. "How Does Digital Transformation Improve Supply Chain Performance: A Manufacturer’s Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Maria‐Therese Gustafsson & Almut Schilling‐Vacaflor & Andrea Lenschow, 2023. "The politics of supply chain regulations: Towards foreign corporate accountability in the area of human rights and the environment?," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), pages 853-869, October.
    6. Fang, Teoh Ming & Ahmad, Noor Hazlina & Halim, Hasliza Abdul & Iqbal, Qaisar & Ramayah, T., 2024. "Pathway towards SME competitiveness: Digital capability and digital business model innovation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    7. Zou, Han & Zhong, MeiRui, 2024. "Local environmental constraints and city's position in dual value chain: What role does digital technology play?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    8. MacCormack, Alan & Baldwin, Carliss & Rusnak, John, 2012. "Exploring the duality between product and organizational architectures: A test of the “mirroring” hypothesis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(8), pages 1309-1324.
    9. Tian, Guixian & Khan, Irfan, 2025. "Impact of energy end-uses and efficiency indicators on the environmental policy stringency index," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    10. Li, Daitian & Malerba, Franco, 2024. "Technological change and the evolution of the links across sectoral systems: The case of mobile communications," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    11. Gabriella M. Hastig & ManMohan S. Sodhi, 2020. "Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Business Requirements and Critical Success Factors," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(4), pages 935-954, April.
    12. Lampón, Jesús F. & Pérez-Moure, Hugo & Carballo-Cruz, Francisco & Velando-Rodríguez, M. Elena, 2024. "New mobility technologies and regional status in the automotive industry value chain: The case of Spain and Portugal," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    13. Surucu-Balci, Ebru & Iris, Çağatay & Balci, Gökcay, 2024. "Digital information in maritime supply chains with blockchain and cloud platforms: Supply chain capabilities, barriers, and research opportunities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    14. Lu Xiang & Renyong Hou, 2023. "Research on Innovation Management of Enterprise Supply Chain Digital Platform Based on Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-13, June.
    15. Dong, Feng & Zhang, Guiyang & Mei, Liang, 2025. "General purpose technology R&D specialization and supply chain cross-industry expansion: The moderation effect of technology portfolio breadth and depth," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    16. Ivanov, Dmitry, 2020. "Predicting the impacts of epidemic outbreaks on global supply chains: A simulation-based analysis on the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) case," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    17. Ron Adner & Rahul Kapoor, 2010. "Value creation in innovation ecosystems: how the structure of technological interdependence affects firm performance in new technology generations," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 306-333, March.
    18. Shah, Sayed Kifayat & Yuan, Jingbo & Tajeddini, Kayhan & Gamage, Thilini Chathurika & Liu, Mingxia, 2025. "Exploring the nexus of institutional factors and regulatory focus in driving platform-based servitization and circular economy adoption," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    19. Al Halbusi, Hussam & Popa, Simona & Soto-Acosta, Pedro & Alshallaqi, Mohammad, 2025. "The nexus of managerial and technical AI knowledge, disruptive innovation and the circular economy: The role of organizational change capability and financial resilience," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    20. Juzhi Zhang & Suresh P. Sethi & Tsan‐Ming Choi & T.C.E. Cheng, 2022. "Pareto optimality and contract dependence in supply chain coordination with risk‐averse agents," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(6), pages 2557-2570, June.
    21. Dmitry Ivanov, 2022. "Viable supply chain model: integrating agility, resilience and sustainability perspectives—lessons from and thinking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 1411-1431, December.
    22. Nasiri, Mina & Ukko, Juhani & Saunila, Minna & Rantala, Tero, 2020. "Managing the digital supply chain: The role of smart technologies," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 96.
    23. Jin, Wei & Zhou, Yixiao, 2022. "Growth And Convergence Through Technological Interdependence," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 26(5), pages 1338-1374, July.
    24. Chotia, Varun & Khoualdi, Kamel & Broccardo, Laura & Yaqub, Muhammad Zafar, 2025. "The role of cyber security and digital transformation in gaining competitive advantage through Strategic Management Accounting," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    25. Handfield, Robert & Earp, Julie & Sadeghi, Amir Hossein, 2025. "Reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the supply base: Insights from cyber experts," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    26. Gérard P. Cachon & Taylor Randall & Glen M. Schmidt, 2007. "In Search of the Bullwhip Effect," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 9(4), pages 457-479, April.
    27. Farajpour, Farnoush & Hassanzadeh, Alireza & Elahi, Shaban & Ghazanfari, Mehdi, 2022. "Digital supply chain blueprint via a systematic literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    28. Yadav, Sanjeev & Samadhiya, Ashutosh & Kumar, Anil & Luthra, Sunil & Kumar, Vikas & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & Upadhyay, Arvind, 2024. "The interplay effects of digital technologies, green integration, and green innovation on food supply chain sustainable performance: An organizational information processing theory perspective," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    29. T. C. Edwin Cheng & Sachin S. Kamble & Amine Belhadi & Nelson Oly Ndubisi & Kee-hung Lai & Manoj Govind Kharat, 2022. "Linkages between big data analytics, circular economy, sustainable supply chain flexibility, and sustainable performance in manufacturing firms," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(22), pages 6908-6922, November.
    30. De Giovanni, Pietro, 2020. "Blockchain and smart contracts in supply chain management: A game theoretic model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    31. Kraus, Sascha & Durst, Susanne & Ferreira, João J. & Veiga, Pedro & Kailer, Norbert & Weinmann, Alexandra, 2022. "Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    32. Arroyabe, Marta F. & Arranz, Carlos F.A. & Fernandez De Arroyabe, Ignacio & Fernandez de Arroyabe, Juan Carlos, 2024. "Analyzing AI adoption in European SMEs: A study of digital capabilities, innovation, and external environment," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    33. Di Vaio, Assunta & Varriale, Luisa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain management for sustainable performance: Evidence from the airport industry," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    34. Maher Agi & Ashish Kumar Jha, 2022. "Blockchain technology in the supply chain: An integrated theoretical perspective of organizational adoption," Post-Print hal-03602937, HAL.
    35. Amine Belhadi & Venkatesh Mani & Sachin S. Kamble & Syed Abdul Rehman Khan & Surabhi Verma, 2024. "Artificial intelligence-driven innovation for enhancing supply chain resilience and performance under the effect of supply chain dynamism: an empirical investigation," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 333(2), pages 627-652, February.
    36. Agi, Maher A.N. & Jha, Ashish Kumar, 2022. "Blockchain technology in the supply chain: An integrated theoretical perspective of organizational adoption," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    37. Hao, Yixue & Khan, Irfan, 2025. "Impact of decarbonization enablers, energy supply between transition and disruption, on renewable energy development," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    38. Enrique, Daisy Valle & Lerman, Laura Visintainer & Sousa, Paulo Renato de & Benitez, Guilherme Brittes & Bigares Charrua Santos, Fernando M. & Frank, Alejandro G., 2022. "Being digital and flexible to navigate the storm: How digital transformation enhances supply chain flexibility in turbulent environments," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    39. Aldrighetti, Riccardo & Battini, Daria & Ivanov, Dmitry, 2023. "Efficient resilience portfolio design in the supply chain with consideration of preparedness and recovery investments," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    40. Dubey, Rameshwar & Bryde, David J. & Blome, Constantin & Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Childe, Stephen J. & Foropon, Cyril, 2024. "Alliances and digital transformation are crucial for benefiting from dynamic supply chain capabilities during times of crisis: A multi-method study," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    41. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Gawankar, Shradha A., 2020. "Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: A review for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 179-194.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rizwan Manzoor & B. S. Sahay & Sujeet Kumar Singh, 2025. "Blockchain technology in supply chain management: an organizational theoretic overview and research agenda," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 348(3), pages 1307-1354, May.
    2. Ivanov, Dmitry, 2024. "Supply chain resilience: Conceptual and formal models drawing from immune system analogy," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    3. Zhang, Ying & Tavalaei, M. Mahdi & Parry, Glenn & Zhou, Peng, 2024. "Evolution or involution? A systematic literature review of organisations' blockchain adoption factors," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    4. Yadav, Amit Kumar & Shweta, & Kumar, Dinesh, 2023. "Blockchain technology and vaccine supply chain: Exploration and analysis of the adoption barriers in the Indian context," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    5. Zhu, Shichao & Li, Jian & Wang, Shouyang & Xia, Yusen & Wang, Yajing, 2023. "The role of blockchain technology in the dual-channel supply chain dominated by a brand owner," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    6. Zhu-Jun Wang & Yangyang Sun & Qin Su & Muhammet Deveci & Kannan Govindan & Mirosław J. Skibniewski & Zhen-Song Chen, 2024. "Smart Contract Application in Resisting Extreme Weather Risks for the Prefabricated Construction Supply Chain: Prototype Exploration and Assessment," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 33(5), pages 1049-1087, October.
    7. Yousefi, Samuel & Tosarkani, Babak Mohamadpour, 2025. "Unlocking blockchain's potential for supply chain transformation: A robust system analysis for enhanced strategic performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    8. Chervenkova, Tanya & Ivanov, Dmitry, 2023. "Adaptation strategies for building supply chain viability: A case study analysis of the global automotive industry re-purposing during the COVID-19 pandemic," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    9. Yan, Ji & Gui, Qinchang & Jiang, Sitong & Yu, Zihao & Fernandes, Kieran & Tian, Kun & Xia, Senmao & Gong, Yu, 2025. "How does blockchain application impact on supply chain alliance?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    10. Zakaria El Hathat & V. G. Venkatesh & Tarik Zouadi & V. Raja Sreedharan & Arunmozhi Manimuthu & Yangyan Shi, 2023. "Analyzing the greenhouse gas emissions in the palm oil supply chain in the VUCA world: A blockchain initiative," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5563-5582, December.
    11. Kumar, Sourabh & Barua, Mukesh Kumar, 2023. "Exploring the hyperledger blockchain technology disruption and barriers of blockchain adoption in petroleum supply chain," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    12. Ulpan Tokkozhina & Ana Lucia Martins & Joao C. Ferreira, 2023. "Uncovering dimensions of the impact of blockchain technology in supply chain management," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 99-125, March.
    13. Brusset, Xavier & Ivanov, Dmitry & Jebali, Aida & La Torre, Davide & Repetto, Marco, 2023. "A dynamic approach to supply chain reconfiguration and ripple effect analysis in an epidemic," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    14. Dong, Yao & Xia, Yuhuan & Qi, Xin, 2025. "Technology yields spoils: The impact of digitalization on innovation value appropriation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    15. Ivanov, Dmitry, 2023. "Intelligent digital twin (iDT) for supply chain stress-testing, resilience, and viability," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    16. Wu, Meng & Zhang, Jiawei & Chen, Xin, 2025. "Managing supply disruptions for risk-averse buyers: Diversified sourcing vs. disruption prevention," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    17. Sharma, Prateek & Shukla, Dhirendra Mani & Raj, Alok, 2023. "Blockchain adoption and firm performance: The contingent roles of intangible capital and environmental dynamism," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    18. Mishra, Abhinay & Kundu, Tanmoy & Kapoor, Rohit & Goh, Mark, 2025. "Blockchain adoption in cross-border cold supply chains: Cost, Efficiency and Trust," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    19. Jovanovic, Marin & Kostić, Nikola & Sebastian, Ina M. & Sedej, Tomaz, 2022. "Managing a blockchain-based platform ecosystem for industry-wide adoption: The case of TradeLens," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    20. Peng, Chen & Zhang, Yunsheng & Lai, Liubin, 2026. "The moderating role of modularity in the relationship between technological turbulence and dominant design influence held by patent pools," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:84:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x25002714. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/technology-in-society .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.