Leveraging Industrial Internet for supply chain resilience: the roles of capability pathways and supply chain dependence

Purpose Supply chains face increasing disruptions in today's volatile environment, necessitating enhanced resilience through digital transformation. This study aims to examine the relationship between Industrial Internet and supply chain resilience and to explore the mediating roles of external visibility, external collaboration and internal agility, as well as the moderating role of supply chain dependence. Design/methodology/approach Middle and senior level managers from Chinese firms across multiple industries were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. We obtained a usable sample of 622 participants. Prior to conducting the primary analysis, we addressed potential common method bias and performed data screening to ensure response quality. Structural equation modelling was employed for hypothesis testing. Findings The findings show that the relationship between Industrial Internet and supply chain resilience is mediated by external visibility, external collaboration, and internal agility. The indirect effects through external collaboration and internal agility are stronger than those through external visibility, underscoring the critical role of rapid internal responsiveness and supply chain coordination. Moreover, supply chain dependence weakens these mediating relationships, thereby attenuating the overall association between Industrial Internet and supply chain resilience. Originality/value This study is a novel attempt to examine the role of Industrial Internet in relation to supply chain resilience, providing empirical support for key mediating and moderating mechanisms within a comprehensive integrated framework. It highlights that resilience benefits are contingent on capability-building processes and the firm's dependence on critical supply chain partners, with these benefits being particularly pronounced among firms with lower partner dependence.