The emerging role of smart supply chain as a stabilizer: evidence from the emotion management

Purpose This study explores how smart supply chains mitigate managers' excessive positive and negative emotions, focusing on the mediating role of social attention and moderating role of collaborative culture, aiming to reveal how enterprises can improve decision-making and support sustainable operations via supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach Based on Affective Events Theory and Socio-Technical Theory, we employ regression analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to examine the relationship and underlying mechanisms between smart supply chains and managers' emotions. Findings The smart supply chain curbs both managers' excessive positive and negative emotions. Corporate social attention strongly mediates and cooperative culture notably moderates its relation with managers' emotions. Additionally, SSC-driven, SSC-led, and SA-driven types are effective emotion-suppressing configurations. Originality/value This study pioneers in viewing smart supply chains as emotional stabilizers, merging emotion regulation theory with supply chain intelligence. It offers practical insights for reducing negative emotions, improving decisions, and supporting sustainability, deepening knowledge of intelligent supply chains' impact on managerial emotions.