From supply chain digitalization to resilience: the paradoxical role of supply chain transparency

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationships between supply chain (SC) digitalization, transparency and resilience within the UK manufacturing sector. Drawing on organizational information processing theory (OIPT), the research examines how intra- and inter-organizational digitalization contribute to resilience and the role of transparency as both a mediator and moderator in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 264 UK manufacturing firms. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the research model and test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings
The results reveal that SC digitalization positively influences SC resilience through SC transparency. However, transparency also exerts a negative moderating effect on the relationships between both intra- and inter-organizational digitalization and resilience. These findings highlight the nuanced role of transparency, which can both enable and constrain resilience outcomes.

Originality/value
This study extends OIPT to the SC resilience context by differentiating between intra- and inter-organizational digitalization and exploring transparency as a dual-role mechanism. By focusing on the UK manufacturers, the research offers novel insights into how digital and information-processing capabilities can be leveraged to enhance resilience in volatile global markets.