Exploring the role of Industry 4.0 capabilities in managing supply base complexity and enhancing supply chain agility

Grounded in Organizational Information-Processing Theory, this study aims to explore the interrelationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) capabilities, supply base complexity, and supply chain agility. Data were collected from 338 Spanish focal companies. Analysis was conducted using cluster analysis a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Oliveira Dias, Diéssica de, Moyano Fuentes, José, Maqueira, Juan Manuel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Alcalá (UAH)
Repositorio:e_Buah Biblioteca Digital Universidad de Alcalá
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ebuah.uah.es:10017/68371
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10017/68371
https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-04-2025-0268
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Industry 4.0
Information-Processing Theory
Supply Chain Agility, Supply Chain Complexity.
Economía
Empresa
Economics
Management science
Descripción
Sumario:Grounded in Organizational Information-Processing Theory, this study aims to explore the interrelationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) capabilities, supply base complexity, and supply chain agility. Data were collected from 338 Spanish focal companies. Analysis was conducted using cluster analysis and analysis of variance. Results reveal that I4.0 exploration, I4.0 exploitation, and horizontal complexity, are positively associated with supply chain agility, while delivery complexity is negatively associated. However, when horizontal complexity is low or delivery complexity is high, companies with greater I4.0 exploration and exploitation capabilities achieve significantly higher supply chain agility than those with lower I4.0 exploration and exploitation capability levels. Managers can enhance supply chain agility by leveraging I4.0 capabilities, particularly in environments with low horizontal complexity or high delivery complexity. The findings advance our understanding of how supply base complexity interacts with I4.0 capabilities to influence supply chain agility and highlight complexity's role as a double-edged sword.