The impact of human resource and information technology on supply chain learning and operational performance

Purpose No study examines the role of human resources management (HRM) and information technology (IT) in stimulating supply chain learning (SCL) and operational performance. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the impact of HRM and IT on SCL (i.e. internal, supplier and customer learning) and operational performance using socio-technical systems theory. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of data obtained from 213 Chinese manufacturing firms, the authors apply structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model. Findings This study finds that HRM improves all three dimensions of SCL, whereas IT improves internal and supplier learning only. The authors also observe that internal and customer learning improves operational performance. Supplier learning, on the other hand, has no influence on operational performance. Practical implications This study offers new guidelines that help managers to better understand how to design sociotechnical systems to improve SCL and operational performance. Originality/value The results of this study provide a novel framework to recognize linkages between socio-technical systems, SCL and operational performance.