Politicking influence operations at the intersection of information disorders and supply chain performance

Purpose Geopolitical actors are exploiting a critical vulnerability beyond physical disruptions for strategic advantage: the informational interdependency of supply chain activities. This study reviews past research to identify associations between informational influence operations (IIO) and perception-based attributes of supply chain performance (PASCP). The aim is to synthesise findings into a conceptual framework for future empirical research. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) of 391 articles published over a 25-year period was undertaken to identify associations between IIO and PASCP. QDA Miner software and a co-occurrence analysis were used to establish the associations in line with assumptions from Information Processing Theory (IPT). Findings Supply chain management (SCM) literature on IIO is nascent, but on an expanding trajectory. The authors identified 15 direct associations between information disorders and PASCP as evaluated through the Balanced Scorecard framework and conceive influence operations mechanisms and mediums of propagation as potential moderating factors in this relationship. A narrow focus on siloed information systems that overlook geopolitical interference across types of supply chain information, and fractional responses to multifaceted IIO threats, highlight vulnerability concerns. The findings reveal a notable lack of commonality in SCM theory perspectives on IIO as a source of enduring disruption threats. Originality/value The paper advances knowledge on mitigating informational-process driven risks by mapping the mechanisms underlying IIO to hedge supply chains against geopolitical threats. From juxtaposing Information Processing Theory and Framing Theory, the paper proposes a superior conceptual framework for future research, comprising supply chain information disorders and influence operations mechanisms as higher-order constructs.