Purpose

Supply chains are increasingly incorporating social perspectives into their activities. It is often argued that social initiatives in supply chain management (SCM) are a response to external pressures. However, it is still undetermined whether these initiatives can improve economic performance. Additionally, it is proposed that digital transformation in supply chains, also described as Smart Supply Chain, can support social performance. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the association between digital transformation, social performance in SCM and economic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a survey of 473 companies in Brazil, a country where social needs create high pressures on companies to respond to the country’s challenges. The data collected underwent testing using ordinary least squares regression and bootstrapping techniques to examine the mediation effects between Smart Supply Chain, social performance and economic performance.

Findings

The findings indicate that digital transformation supports social performance. Additionally, adopting social initiatives helps to increase firm performance in the context of an emerging economy, while social initiatives mediate between digital transformation and firm performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective on the social side of supply chains by demonstrating the close relationship between digital transformation and social engagement initiatives. It argues that aligning digital transformation strategies and technologies with social performance is crucial for companies to establish stronger connections with stakeholders.

中文翻译：

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当数字化转型满足新兴市场的供应链需求时：对社会和经济绩效的贡献

 目的

供应链越来越多地将社会视角纳入其活动中。人们经常认为供应链管理（SCM）中的社会举措是对外部压力的回应。然而，这些举措是否能够改善经济表现仍不确定。此外，有人提出供应链的数字化转型（也称为智能供应链）可以支持社会绩效。因此，本研究旨在分析数字化转型、供应链管理中的社会绩效和经济绩效之间的关联。

设计/方法论/途径

该研究基于对巴西 473 家公司的调查，巴西的社会需求给公司带来了巨大压力，要求他们应对该国的挑战。使用普通最小二乘回归和引导技术对收集的数据进行测试，以检验智能供应链、社会绩效和经济绩效之间的中介效应。

 发现

研究结果表明，数字化转型支持社会绩效。此外，采用社会举措有助于在新兴经济体的背景下提高公司绩效，而社会举措则在数字化转型和公司绩效之间发挥中介作用。

 原创性/价值

本文通过展示数字化转型与社会参与计划之间的密切关系，为供应链的社会方面提供了新的视角。报告认为，将数字化转型战略和技术与社会绩效相结合对于公司与利益相关者建立更牢固的联系至关重要。