A meta-analysis of the performance effects of supply chain digitalization: toward a value-oriented perspective

Abstract

Supply chain digitalization (SCD), the integration of digital technologies into supply chain activities, has become a central driver of transformation in contemporary supply chain management. Despite substantial scholarly attention, empirical evidence on the performance effects of SCD remains fragmented and at times contradictory. This study addresses this inconsistency by developing and testing a value-oriented perspective that distinguishes between digital technologies that foster value creation, generating benefits for customers and partners, and those focused on value capture to retain and exploit those benefits within the firm. This meta-analysis of 73 empirical studies identifies six value-creation themes and four value-capture themes, each associated with distinct digital technologies and supply chain functions. The results show that value-creation-oriented technologies are predominantly linked to innovation outcomes and supply chain performance, whereas value-capture-oriented technologies exhibit stronger associations with both competitive performance and supply chain performance. By disentangling these underlying mechanisms, the study clarifies when and how SCD contributes to performance and offers actionable guidance for aligning digitalization initiatives with strategic objectives in supply chains.