Enablers and benefits of supply chain digitalization: An empirical study of Thai MSMEs

Book chapter


Chanchaichujit, J., Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., Upadhyay, A. and Kumar, A. 2023. Enablers and benefits of supply chain digitalization: An empirical study of Thai MSMEs. in: Vimal, K., Rajak, S., Kumar, V., Mor, R. and Assayed, A. (ed.) Industry 4.0 Technologies: Sustainable Manufacturing Supply Chains Singapore Springer. pp. 113-131
Chapter titleEnablers and benefits of supply chain digitalization: An empirical study of Thai MSMEs
AuthorsChanchaichujit, J., Balasubramanian, S., Shukla, V., Upadhyay, A. and Kumar, A.
Abstract

Supply chain digitalization is increasingly critical to the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). However, knowledge about it, including the technologies, enablers, and benefits from the perspective of these enterprises is limited, particularly in developing economies. Addressing this knowledge gap is essential, as around 95% of enterprises in these economies are MSMEs. This study aims to bridge this gap using Thailand as a developing economy case study, gathering relevant information through a survey (with 574 responses) and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that most Thai MSMEs use basic digital tools, while the adoption of intermediate and advanced technologies is moderate and low respectively. Consumer and competitor pressures primarily drive digitalization efforts, with the government playing a somewhat limited role. These (digitalization) efforts were found to have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite budgetary constraints. From a benefits perspective, digitalization was found to improve business processes and enhance sales and customer satisfaction. These findings offer insights for emerging economy practitioners and policymakers to develop suitable policy interventions and support mechanisms for MSME digitalization. This study makes a novel and significant contribution to the literature, as no previous studies have comprehensively investigated digitalization in emerging economies or in Thailand.

KeywordsDigitalization; Industry 4.0; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); COVID-19; Supply Chain; Thailand
Sustainable Development Goals9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Middlesex University ThemeSustainability
Page range113-131
Book title Industry 4.0 Technologies: Sustainable Manufacturing Supply Chains
EditorsVimal, K., Rajak, S., Kumar, V., Mor, R. and Assayed, A.
PublisherSpringer
Place of publicationSingapore
SeriesEnvironmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes
ISBN
Hardcover9789819948932
Electronic9789819948949
Paperback9789819948963
ISSN2345-7651
Electronic2345-766X
Publication dates
Online14 Sep 2023
Publication process dates
Completed14 Sep 2023
Deposited11 Oct 2023
Output statusPublished
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4894-9_8
LanguageEnglish
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