Can Financial Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Improve Sustainable Supply Chain Operational Efficiency? Evidence from China

In the context of global value chain restructuring and accelerating digital transformation, enterprise competition is increasingly shifting toward sustainable systemic efficiency centered on supply chain operations. Although financial robotic process automation (RPA), as a critical technology enabling financial digitalization, has been widely adopted by firms, its impact on sustainable supply chain operational efficiency (SCOE) and the underlying transmission mechanisms remains underexplored. Drawing on data from Chinese A-share listed firms spanning the period from 2015 to 2024, we investigate the effect of RPA adoption on SCOE. Our analysis reveals that RPA adoption significantly improves firm SCOE, with the effect being more pronounced among non-state-owned enterprises, firms located in eastern and central regions, non-high-tech firms, and large enterprises. Moreover, we identify two underlying mechanisms—enhanced information transparency and optimized capital utilization—as primary channels through which RPA enhances supply chain performance. Further analysis indicates that supply chain concentration (SCC) positively moderates the relationship between RPA adoption and SCOE. These findings provide practical implications for enterprise digital transformation and sustainable supply chain development.