Supply chain performance in the age of Industry 4.0

Goal: This study investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption on supply chain performance in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector, emphasizing the mediating roles of digital supply chain integration, supply chain innovation, and supply chain visibility. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to 570 manufacturing professionals in Bangladesh, with 350 valid responses collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS was applied to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships. Findings: The findings reveal that Industry 4.0 adoption significantly enhances digital supply chain integration (DSCI), supply chain innovation (SCI), and supply chain visibility (SCV), which collectively improve overall supply chain performance. Specifically, Industry 4.0 adoption strengthens DSCI by enabling real-time communication, reducing process fragmentation, and supporting more efficient decision-making. It also fosters SCI by driving innovative practices, adaptability, and continuous improvement within the supply chain. Furthermore, Industry 4.0 adoption improves SCV, enhancing traceability, transparency, and risk management. These mediating factors demonstrate the critical role of Industry 4.0 technologies in achieving superior supply chain outcomes. Research limitations/implications: The study's limitations include the use of convenience sampling and data from a single industry sector within a developing country, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research could explore additional variables and contexts to further validate these results. Practical implications: The study provides actionable insights for manufacturing firms in developing economies on leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance supply chain performance. It also offers guidance for policymakers in supporting digital transformation initiatives. Social implications: By highlighting the benefits of digital supply chain integration, the study contributes to broader societal goals of economic development and industrial competitiveness in emerging markets. Originality/value: This study is among the first to empirically examine the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption on supply chain performance in Bangladesh, providing valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers.