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The Digitalization Paradigm: Impacts on Agri-Food Supply Chain Profitability and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Yan Dong

    (School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai 201209, China)

  • Sayed Fayaz Ahmad

    (Institute of Business Management, Karachi 75190, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Irshad

    (Department of Management Sciences, University of Gwadar, Gwadar 91200, Pakistan)

  • Muna Al-Razgan

    (Department of Software Engineering, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia)

  • Yasser A. Ali

    (Department of Information System, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11543, Saudi Arabia)

  • Emad Marous Awwad

    (Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Digitization has completely changed the landscape of supply chain management, which enables businesses to streamline their processes and attain higher levels of profitability and sustainability. This study investigates the relationships between digitalization and supply chain elements, particularly integration, communication, operation, and distribution, and their effects on corporate profitability and sustainability. The research is based on an empirical investigation conducted through a questionnaire survey of agri-food industries in Pakistan. PLS-SEM was used for the analysis of data. The results show a positive relationship between digitalization and supply chain integration, processes, operation, and distribution. Moreover, a positive and significant relationship exists between digitalized supply chain integration, processes, operation, and distribution with business profitability and sustainability. The research concludes that the synergistic effect of digital advancements leads to increased business profitability and sustainability. Business organizations may put themselves at the forefront of supply chain excellence by adopting digitalization, benefiting from effective integration, communication, operations, and distribution with increased profitability and sustainability. The findings have a lot of practical and theoretical implications for the excellence of supply chain management and help attain several sustainable development goals, e.g., SDG-8, SDG-9, SDG-11, and SDG-12.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Dong & Sayed Fayaz Ahmad & Muhammad Irshad & Muna Al-Razgan & Yasser A. Ali & Emad Marous Awwad, 2023. "The Digitalization Paradigm: Impacts on Agri-Food Supply Chain Profitability and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-27, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15627-:d:1274220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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