Building supply chain resilience in the age of digitalization

Abstract

In an era of rapid digital transformation and increasing sustainability pressures, global supply chains face unprecedented challenges in managing risks and building resilience. This dissertation explores how digitalization relates to organizations' ability to address these challenges by investigating its role in three key areas: procurement digitalization, technology service procurement, and mitigation of sustainability-related risks.

The findings demonstrate that procurement digitalization improves information processing capabilities, enabling more effective risk management and greater resilience in the face of supply chain disruptions. Technology service procurement introduces distinct risks, including over-dependence on service providers and failure to meet sustainability goals, which necessitate tailored strategies for managing operational risks and ensuring sustainability. Furthermore, the research uncovers mechanisms to address uncertainties in supply chain emissions reporting, highlighting the role of technologydriven information processing in mitigating sustainability risks and enhancing supply chain resilience.

The dissertation provides theoretical and practical insights into the evolving dynamics of modern supply chains. It emphasizes that while digitalization can increase supply chain resilience, it also introduces vulnerabilities that organizations must proactively manage. Addressing these risks requires a holistic approach that integrates information processing, collaborative supplier relationships, and sustainability-driven practices. Together, these findings offer insights for organizations on how to adapt to an era shaped by rapid technological advancement and escalating sustainability risks by adopting a more datadriven approach to managing risks and disruptions in supply chains.