Digitalization and Business Automation for an Effective Supply Chain Integration: A literature review

Since the onset of the Covid19 pandemic crisis, supply chain integration and digitalization have emerged as essential strategies for all firms due to flow disruption and considerable market uncertainty. Firms’ managers recognize the imperative need to cultivate a new business model to enhance connectivity with both upstream and downstream chain links. The intended outcomes encompass effective collaborative planning, information sharing, and the establishment of relationships with targeted customers through tailored and innovative offers designed to meet their specific requirements. To achieve this, a suitable level of supply chain integration and effective use of digital technologies such as internet of things, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are essential. Supply chain integration and digitalization lead to business process synchronizing, automation, flexibility, and the efficient analysis and management of data, thereby, enhancing firms’ profitability and competitiveness. This paper seeks to cultivate a fundamental understanding of the digital supply chain integration by analyzing it main aspects. Additionally, it illuminates the significance of leveraging specific digital technologies to ensure effective supply chain management and optimization.