Rebooting resilience: examining the role of digital technology and top management support in supply chain performance

Abstract The growing uncertainty and turbulence in global markets have intensified the need for resilient supply chains capable of withstanding disruptions. Digital technologies are increasingly recognized as key enablers of supply chain resilience because they enhance visibility, coordination, flexibility, and responsiveness across networks. Grounded in the diffusion of innovation theory and dynamic capability theory, this study examines how firms’ adoption of digital technologies strengthens supply chain resilience. Specifically, it investigates the roles of relative advantage, technology compatibility, and complexity as antecedents of digital technology usage. The study also explores the moderating role of top management support in shaping technology adoption. Data were collected from 132 firms operating in Pakistan across diverse industries. Structural equation modeling was conducted using SmartPLS 4 to test the hypothesized relationships and assess the model. Findings show that relative advantage, technology compatibility, and complexity significantly influence digital technology usage, which in turn positively affects supply chain resilience. These results underscore the importance of technological readiness and the reduction of perceived barriers to adoption when seeking to build resilient supply chains. The moderating effect of top management support demonstrates that leadership role is considered crucial for innovation since its influence strengthened the tested relationships in this context. This research contributes to the literature by extending diffusion of innovation theory to digitalization and supply chain resilience. For practitioners, the study highlights the need to focus on clear technological benefits, system compatibility, and simplicity to drive adoption and resilience.