Exploring the impact of data element market development on supply chain network configuration

Purpose Although data element market development (DEMD) has been shown to influence enterprises’ supply chain network configurations (SCNCs), their causal relationship and impact mechanism have not been extensively explored in the existing literature. This study integrates theoretical analysis and empirical evidence to investigate the impact of DEMD on SCNCs from a holistic supply chain perspective and a unilateral viewpoint. Design/methodology/approach This study uses 2009–2023 data on Chinese publicly listed enterprises and adopts a difference-in-differences model to evaluate the influence of DEMD on SCNCs. Additionally, an interaction term model is constructed to analyze the underlying mechanisms. Findings The study results reveal that DEMD promotes diversification in SCNCs, thereby exerting a similar impact on supplier configuration (SC) and customer configuration (CC). Such an effect is further amplified by various factors, such as enterprises’ pricing power, the extent of government subsidies, and information asymmetry level. This impact also demonstrates heterogeneity across enterprises, depending on their competitive advantages, development stages and market environments. Originality/value This study innovatively analyzes the causal effects of DEMD on SC, CC and SCNC from the unilateral and holistic supply chain perspectives. The heterogeneity in response mechanisms driven by data elements (DEs) and the differentiated impacts across various scenarios are also investigated. The findings offer practical insights to help Chinese enterprises effectively leverage DEs, thereby enabling them to adjust and optimize their collaborative relationships with suppliers and customers.