The Supply chain process is an integrated business process that organizes and manages the flow of goods and services from the manufactures to the end-users. It and streamlines the supply chain activities by establishing linkage between suppliers, dealers, manufacturers, service providers, and end-users. The concept of supply chain management is adopted by different industries such as healthcare, retail, food, manufacturing, construction, and textile to enhance the working process and optimize customer value. The working of the supply chain process could be enhanced by adopting advanced technologies and digitalization in its working. While focusing on digitalization in the supply chain, it includes the introduction of digital technologies such as Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, predictive analytics, and blockchain into the supply chain process. The technologies enhance the supply chain management system by coordinating and synchronizing the different supply chain parts such as order, raw materials, production, finished products, warehouse, logistics, packaging, delivery, retailer, and end-user. For instance, the adoption of the blockchain process into the supply chain management process helps in simplifying the complex supply chain work process and transferring paper-intensive work processes into digitalized formats. On the other hand, the introduction of the robotic process helps in digitizing the back-office process by 50% to 80% that helps in faster movement and précised tracking of products. Predictive analytics is based on advanced analytics that facilities the supply chain process by streamlining internal and external demand variables such as social media trends, sensor data, and demand plans. It helps in improving demand prediction accuracy and lowering prediction errors by 30% to 50%. It increases industry and business to adopt digitalization in supply chain process to experience technology maturity and accelerated functionaries.
Digital technology such as Big Data is included in the supply chain process that synchronizes the different processes such as promotion, procurement, stockroom, and haulage.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Research Background
1.2 Research Problem
1.3 Aims And Objectives
1.4 Contribution Of Study
1.5 Thesis Structure
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Overview of supply chain process and capabilities
2.3 Digital transformation of supply chain
2.4 Benefits of digital supply chain
2.5 Digitization of supply chain and business performance
2.6 Return on Investment (RoI) analysis of supply chain management
2.7 Research Gap
2.8 Conceptual framework
2.9 Hypothesis
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Paradigm
3.3 Research Approach
3.4 Research Design
3.5 Data Collection Method
3.6 Population and Sampling
3.7 Data Analysis and Interpretation
3.8 Ethical Considerations
3.9 Summary
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Results And Discussion
5.1 Introduction
Chapter 6: Conclusion And Recommendation
6.1 Major Findings
6.2 Recommendations
6.3 Limitations
6.4 Further research
Objectives and Research Themes
This thesis investigates the evaluation of Return on Investment (RoI) associated with the digitalization of supply chain processes. The research aims to understand how digital technologies like Big Data, IoT, and AI contribute to firm efficiency, asset exploitation, and business performance, while identifying potential barriers and economic impacts of such digital transitions.
- Capabilities of supply chain process management
- Digital transformation of supply chain operations
- Benefits and performance implications of supply chain digitization
- Analysis of Return on Investment (RoI) for digital initiatives
- Hypothesis testing regarding digitalization effects on business outcomes
Excerpt from the Book
Supply chain and digitalization in the supply chain
The Supply chain process is an integrated business process that organizes and manages the flow of goods and services from the manufactures to the end-users. It and streamlines the supply chain activities by establishing linkage between suppliers, dealers, manufacturers, service providers, and end-users. The concept of supply chain management is adopted by different industries such as healthcare, retail, food, manufacturing, construction, and textile to enhance the working process and optimize customer value (Simchi-Levi, Kaminsky, & Simchi-Levi, 2000). The working of the supply chain process could be enhanced by adopting advanced technologies and digitalization in its working. While focusing on digitalization in the supply chain, it includes the introduction of digital technologies such as Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, predictive analytics, and blockchain into the supply chain process. The technologies enhance the supply chain management system by coordinating and synchronizing the different supply chain parts such as order, raw materials, production, finished products, warehouse, logistics, packaging, delivery, retailer, and end-user (Pagani and Pardo 2017). For instance, the adoption of the blockchain process into the supply chain management process helps in simplifying the complex supply chain work process and transferring paper-intensive work processes into digitalized formats. On the other hand, the introduction of the robotic process helps in digitizing the back-office process by 50% to 80% that helps in faster movement and précised tracking of products (Bughin, Catlin, Hirt, and Willmott 2018).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic, defines the problem statement regarding digitalization in supply chains, and outlines the core research objectives and the thesis structure.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This section provides a comprehensive overview of existing studies on supply chain management, digital transformation technologies, and methods for calculating Return on Investment (RoI).
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter details the scientific research process, including the research paradigm, the quantitative approach used, data collection methods, and ethical considerations for the study.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis: This chapter presents the raw statistical data collected through questionnaires, displayed via frequency tables and charts to demonstrate the demographic and operational findings.
Chapter 5: Results And Discussion: This chapter analyzes and interprets the gathered statistical data in relation to the study's hypotheses, contrasting the empirical findings with the established literature review.
Chapter 6: Conclusion And Recommendation: The final chapter summarizes the major findings of the research, provides strategic recommendations for organizations, outlines study limitations, and suggests areas for further research.
Keywords
Supply Chain Management, Digitalization, Return on Investment, RoI, Big Data, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Business Performance, Predictive Analytics, Warehouse Management, Technology Adoption, Process Optimization, Quantitative Research, Operational Efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on evaluating the Return on Investment (RoI) of implementing digital technologies within modern supply chain systems.
What are the central themes explored in this work?
The central themes include digital transformation in supply chains, process capabilities, technology-driven efficiency, and the economic justification (RoI) for digitizing supply chain logistics.
What is the core research question or objective?
The primary objective is to analyze how the digitalization of supply chain processes impacts business performance and how this return on investment can be effectively measured.
Which scientific research methodology is employed?
The research employs a quantitative (deductive) research approach, using a descriptive research design to test hypotheses through survey data collected from industry professionals.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of supply chain processes, the role of specific technologies (IoT, AI, Big Data), the benefits and challenges of implementation, and the statistical analysis of survey data related to professional opinions on these technologies.
Which keywords best describe the research?
Key terms include Supply Chain Management, Digitalization, Return on Investment (RoI), Process Optimization, and Operational Efficiency.
How does the digitalization of the supply chain affect operational costs?
The research highlights that while digitalization initially incurs costs for technology upgrading and training, it leads to long-term cost reductions by automating tasks, optimizing inventory management, and reducing operational inefficiencies.
What challenges are identified during the implementation of digital supply chains?
Key challenges include a restricted organizational mindset resistant to change, uncertainty regarding digitalization success, high costs of infrastructure upgrades, and a significant technology-skill gap among the workforce.
How is the Return on Investment (RoI) specifically calculated in the context of this study?
The study views RoI as a financial ratio that evaluates the profitability of invested capital, specifically assessing how investments in digital tools improve performance metrics like lead times, waste reduction, and consumer response times.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Amit Raj (Autor:in), 2021, Evaluation of the Return on Investment (RoI) of Digitalization in Supply Chain, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1030856
