Supply Chain Management Through Cloud Computing in the Retail Sector

Abstract

In this study, the effect of cloud computing on supply chain management efficiency and performance within China’s retail sector is investigated. Based on survey data of 400 retail sector managers and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study finds that the cloud integration, data accessibility, and real-time analysis significantly improve supply chain efficiency, therefore improving supply chain performance. Though it directly enhances performance, it does not moderate the efficiency-performance curves. Findings show that cloud computing is an important technology to help retailers operate more efficiently, more quickly and have a competitive advantage, regardless of company size. Through these contributions, the research provides useful insights to practitioners and policymakers about how to optimally exploit cloud computing in support of increasing the strategic value of the retail supply chain in China.