Enhancing Business Profitability and Sustainability through Digitalized Supply Chain Elements

Abstract

The digitalization is pervasively revolutionizing the structure, functioning and strategic responsiveness of the agri-food supply chain. This paper aims to examine the mediating influence of supply chain processes such as integration, operation, purchasing and distribution between the digitalization and business profitability and sustainability in Bangladesh. Convenience sampling was adopted to gather data from the 435 departments of supply chain in the agri-food industries across Bangladesh through a closed ended questionnaires. Respondents of the study were supply chain managers and other personnel in charges of the supply chain activities. The analysis shows that out of twelve hypothesis, seven were found significant and remaining five were non significant. This study finds out that advancement in digital technologies has a positive multiplier impact on business profitability and sustainability. Through the study, supply chain value could be enhanced through digitalization that would enable business organizations attain efficient integration, operation, purchasing and distribution with corresponding improvement on profitability and sustainability. The implications of the findings are useful for managers, businesses and to help achieve several of sustainable development goals such as SDG-8, SDG-9, SDG-12, SDG-13 and SDG-17.

Keywords: digitalization, agri food firms, supply chain elements, sustainability and business profitability.