THE ROLE OF DIGITAL INTEGRATION ON DISTRIBUTION EFFICIENCY THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ORDER FULFILLMENT

Abstract This study aimed to explore the role of digital integration in improving distribution efficiency, and how order fulfillment serves as a mediator between digital integration and distribution efficiency in engineering companies in Jordan. As reliance on digital technologies and systems in the supply chain grows, the need to understand the role of digital integration in delivering better distribution performance and organizational responsiveness is growing even more. The study focused on two aspects of digital integration that had a direct as well as indirect impact on distribution efficiency: order fulfillment capabilities and the direct influence of digital integration. A quantitative research approach was used, and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 350 representatives from engineering companies in Jordan. The results of the study were analyzed through advanced statistical methods to assess the research hypothesis and to explore the mediation effect between the study variables which is the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that the integration of digital has a positive and significant impact on order fulfillment and distribution efficiency. The findings also showed that order fulfilment has a significant mediating function between the influence of digital integration and distribution efficiency. The study showed that those organizations that are more digitally integrated can better improve the coordination processes, speed up product delivery, make their operations more responsive and increase their distribution efficiency. The study builds on the current literature and literature review by expanding the knowledge of integrating digital in supply chain and distribution management. It also emphasizes the strategic significance of order fulfillment as an operational instrument which can improve results in distribution. The study suggests that tech be incorporated into engineering companies' systems, as well as advanced order fulfillment technologies, to enhance distribution capability and operational competitiveness in a rapidly changing business world.