Investment strategies in Industry 4.0 for enhanced supply chain resilience: an empirical analysis

Modern economies grapple with unprecedented challenges that yielded traditional supply chain resilience (SCR) ineffective, creating a race towards digital supply chain resilience (DSCR) through adopting Industry 4.0 (I4.0) strategies and technologies, with the primary goal to fortifying organizations’ capabilities in promptly and efficiently identifying, mitigating, and rebounding from disruptions. This shift highlights the critical differences between traditional SCR and the emerging DSCR paradigm. Nevertheless, the literature on DSCR, especially pertaining to precise investment strategies, remains notably limited. This research seeks to address this critical gap through an empirical investigation leveraging insights from seasoned supply chain experts in academia and industry. Distinguishing itself, the study meticulously navigates investment decisions, aiming for a striking delicate balance between avoiding over-investment risks jeopardizing profitability and steering clear of under-investment pitfalls exposing vulnerabilities. This research stands as a distinctive contribution to existing literature, offering actionable insights into the nuanced realm of DSCR, while highlighting the shifting dynamics between traditional SCR and emerging DSCR strategies. However, while insights from experienced experts offer valuable perspectives, the study is not immune to empirical challenges. Individual industry contexts may introduce variability in strategy applicability. Additionally, the dynamic landscape of technology and business practices implies findings may need periodic reassessment. Despite these limitations, the research’s implications are profound, serving as a roadmap for organizations navigating toward DSCR complexities, and for policymakers aiming towards providing efficient regulations and ecosystems that allow for harnessing I4.0 powers in enhancing an organization’s DSCR within financial constraints.