Digital and inter-organisational trust in supply chains

Inter-organisational trust is widely recognised as critical for collaboration and operational effectiveness, yet the role of digital trust, confidence in digital systems, technologies, and data-driven interactions, remains underexplored. This study examines the distinct effects of digital trust and inter-organisational trust on supply chain capabilities, specifically visibility and agility, and their subsequent impact on corporate performance. Drawing on Social Capital Theory and Dynamic Capability Theory, survey data were collected from firms in the UK manufacturing sector, and structural relationships between trust, supply chain capabilities, and corporate performance were analysed using structural equation modelling. Polynomial regression was applied as a robustness check to examine the separate linear effects of the two forms of trust. Results show that both digital trust and inter-organisational trust significantly enhance supply chain visibility and agility, which in turn improve corporate performance. Polynomial regression confirms that the two forms of trust exert distinct effects, highlighting their unique contributions. The study advances the trust and supply chain management literature and offers actionable insights for practitioners seeking to strengthen supply chain resilience, sustainability, and competitive advantage in the Industry 5.0 era.