The effects of operational and digitalization capabilities on SMSs’ supply chain financing under supply risk

Abstract

Based on the resource orchestration perspective, this study attempts to explain the mechanisms underlying the “capabilities-advantages” causality. This is achieved by identifying the effects of different capabilities on small and medium suppliers’ (SMSs) supply chain financing. Based on a dataset of 418 vendors for three Chinese manufacturers, we tested the hypotheses and found that: (a) operational capabilities, including improvement capability and innovation capability, have positive effects, while the effects of digitalization capabilities are complex. This is because the positive effect of information interaction capability is partially mediated by digital technology adoption. (b) Those positive effects of improvement, digital technology adoption and information interaction capability will be stronger under a low level of supply risk. This is the first study to employ the resource orchestration perspective into exploring how to improve the supply chain financing of SMSs. This study also contributes to the research on SMSs’ financing and digitalization.