Navigating Success: How Decision– Making Transforms Software Performance into Business Performance in the Logistics Industry from an Emerging Country

Abstract Background/Purpose This study investigates the mediating role of decision–making performance in the link between software performance and overall business performance in the logistics sector of an emerging economy. As logistics companies increasingly rely on digital infrastructures, understanding how advanced systems contribute to strategic outcomes is critical for sustaining competitiveness. Methods A conceptual framework was developed integrating ERP systems, big data analytics, and IoT applications. In this model, software performance is positioned as the independent variable, decision–making performance as the mediator, and business performance as the dependent variable. Data were collected from medium- and large–scale logistics firms and analyzed using regression and bootstrapping methods through SPSS and the PROCESS Macro. Results The findings reveal that software performance significantly improves decision–making performance (β = 0.552, p < 0.01), which in turn has a strong positive effect on business performance (β = 0.817, p < 0.01). The mediation analysis confirms that decision–making performance mediates the effect of software performance on business outcomes. Conclusion The results highlight the strategic importance of aligning digital capabilities with organizational decision processes. By demonstrating the mediating role of decision–making, the study highlights that the effective use of advanced analytical tools is crucial for optimizing performance and achieving a sustainable competitive advantage in logistics.