Understanding the influence of cloud-based information and communication technology on supply chain resilience

Purpose In today’s turbulent business environment, firms continually turn to technology as a panacea for supply chain resilience and performance problems. This article seeks to understand if information and communication technology (ICT) platforms, specifically cloud-based platforms, differ in their ability to enable supply chain resilience and operational performance. Design/methodology/approach Empirical survey data was gathered, and a partial least squares structural equation model was performed on responses from 174 logistics and supply chain operations managers. A multigroup analysis compared the structural model measures of cloud-based and non-cloud-based platforms. Findings This research provides evidence that supply chain resilience and performance are agnostic of the ICT platform type and deeply rooted in the relational antecedents of cooperation and coordination. Tangentially, this study confirms concepts of coordination and cooperation supported by ICT are antecedents to the robustness and agility of supply chains. Moreover, empirical evidence also reveals that supply chain robustness mediates the relationships between supply chain agility, coordination and cooperation. Practical implications While firms continually seek technological solutions to bolster the resilience of their supply chains, we show that they should focus on developing the social elements of supply chain partnerships. Originality/value This study’s examination of the influence of ICT on supply chain resilience and performance contributes to the growing body of empirical analysis in the literature. Through its theoretical lens, this article deepens the understanding of analyzing supply chain resilience and performance measures between firms utilizing different ICT platforms.