A Multi-Dimensional Model of Supply Chain Digitization, AI, and HRM Effectiveness for Sustainable Outcomes

Abstract

This research constructs and empirically tests a multi-dimensional model of the impacts of Supply Chain Digitization (SCD), Big Data Analytics-Artificial Intelligence (BDA-AI) and Supply Chain Agility (SCA) on Overall Sustainable Supply Chain Performance (OSSCP), and explores the moderating role of HRM (AI) Acceptance and Perceived HR Effectiveness. It utilized a quantitative, cross-sectional research design that involved the collection of primary data through structured questionnaires of 300 supply chain professionals in Pakistani logistics companies based on purposive sampling (Amin et al., 2023). Direct, mediating, and moderating relationship tests were conducted with the use of structural equation modeling (SEM). Results substantiate that SCD is positively related to BDA-AI and SCA which in turn mediate between SCD and OSSCP which supports the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. Almelhem et al. (2025) Although HRM (AI) Acceptance did not play any significant role in moderating the hypothesized relationships, Perceived HR Effectiveness significantly mediated the connection between SCD and SCA, which underscores the importance of aligned HR practices in enhancing the digital transformation effects. The research has theoretical implications, as it combines technological and human aspects of supply chain sustainability and offers practical suggestions to managers on how to strategically invest in digitization, analytics, agility, and efficient HR practices in order to improve sustainable supply chain performance. Discussion of limitations and future research directions are provided.