Critical analysis of the impact of big data analytics on supply chain operations

Undoubtedly, due to the increasingly competitive pressures and the stride of varying demands, volatility and disturbance have become the standard in today's global markets. The spread of Covid-19 is a prime example of that. Supply chain managers are urged to rethink their competitive strategies to make use of Big Data Analytics (BDA), due to the increasing uncertainty in both demand and supply side, the competition among the supply chain partners and the need to identify ways to offer personalised products and services. With many supply chain executives recognising the need of 'improving with data', supply chain businesses need to equip themselves with sophisticated BDA methods/techniques to create valuable insights from big data, thus, enhancing the decision-making process and optimising the efficiency of Supply Chain Operations (SCO). This paper proposes the building blocks of a theoretical framework for understanding the impact of BDA on SCO. The framework is based on a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on BDA and SCO, underpinned by Task-Technology-Fit theory and Institutional Theory. The paper contributes to the literature by building a platform for future work on investigating factors driving and inhibiting BDA impact on SCO.

Automated summary

As a prime example of the increasing volatility and disturbance in today's global markets, the spread of Covid-19 has prompted supply chain managers to rethink competitive strategies and make use of Big Data Analytics (BDA). With the growing uncertainty in demand and supply, competition among supply chain partners, and the need for personalized products and services, supply chain businesses need to equip themselves with sophisticated BDA methods to enhance decision-making process and optimize the efficiency of Supply Chain Operations (SCO). This paper presents a theoretical framework that builds a platform for future research on factors influencing the impact of BDA on SCO.