Digital Supply Chain Insights From Large Factories

Abstract

In today's digital age, many managers need to find new ways to manage collaborations where complementary partners co-create digital solutions. Collaborations with partners are at the centre of digital projects, but managing these collaborations is challenging. The research objective is to investigate how collaborations with business partners contribute to digital transformation through a qualitative investigation of Brazilian and British large manufactures that are already on their journey towards digitalization. Interviews and questionnaires and non-participant observations were collected, followed by content analysis. The findings indicate that the companies, mainly the Brazilian cases, are at the early stage of building a digital ecosystem for a more connected supply chain. The use of digital solutions in cases brings obstacles but also opportunities and advantages for supply chains in the near future. The study discussed these implementation challenges and what digital technologies are under development and already used to make the supply chain smarter and more connected.