Strategic Impact of Industry 4.0 and Big Data on Supply Chain Efficacy in Pakistani Manufacturing

Abstract

The research aims to scrutinize the influence of Industry 4.0 indicators and Big Data Analytics in innovating and transforming supply chain processes in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan, highlighting how Industry 4.0 factors alter supply chain activities. This study was conducted within the manufacturing industry, specifically targeting employees from the automobile sector in Karachi, Pakistan. Data was collected through online Google Forms, utilizing a closed-ended questionnaire deployed on a Likert scale, to explore various independent variables and their impact on supply chain performance. Survey responses indicate that the variables—supply chain flexibility, supply chain agility, research and development, role of MIS, leadership style, and big data analytics—predominantly influence supply chain performance, albeit with one insignificant relationship noted between leadership style and supply chain performance. The research also affirms the significant mediating impact of supply chain performance indicators on organizational performance. The research may confront limitations related to its generalizability across varied industries and regions due to potential disparities in technological adoption and regulatory frameworks, and the exclusive focus on supply chain performance as the sole mediator might overlook alternative pathways through which the independent variables could influence organizational performance. The insights derived from this research could serve as a guide for managers and manufacturing organizations to comprehend the transformations invoked by Industry 4.0, offering a lens through which to perceive shifts in supply chain performance and activities. The study offers a pivotal examination of the evolution in supply chain practices induced by Industry 4.0 and Big Data Analytics within the context of Pakistan’s manufacturing arena, thereby providing a valuable resource for practitioners and academicians to understand and navigate the landscape of digitally transformed supply chains.