The Illusion of Readiness: Deconstructing Performative Compliance in Supply Chain Digital Transformation
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Digital transformation has become a critical strategy for improving supply chain resilience, operational efficiency, and organizational competitiveness. However, significant investments in digital technologies do not always produce proportional improvements in operational outcomes, creating a productivity paradox in which technological adoption exceeds actual utilization. This study aims to examine the behavioral mechanisms underlying Digital Transformation Implementation (DTI) by investigating the roles of Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), and Employees’ Intentional Digital Readiness (EIDR) among supply chain personnel. This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design using a structured questionnaire distributed to employees involved in supply chain and logistics functions within Indonesian manufacturing firms and logistics service providers. Data from 247 valid respondents were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The findings reveal that Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use significantly influence Digital Transformation Implementation, indicating that employees primarily adopt digital systems when they provide practical benefits and operational convenience. Conversely, Employees’ Intentional Digital Readiness does not significantly affect implementation, suggesting a gap between employees’ expressed readiness and actual digital adoption behavior. The study concludes that successful supply chain digital transformation depends more on technological utility and usability than psychological readiness alone. These findings contribute to digital transformation literature by highlighting the importance of evaluating actual operational integration rather than relying solely on self-reported readiness indicators.
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