Digital Supply Chain Transformation and Business Performance of Manufacturing Firms in the Democratic Republic of Congo During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in global supply chains, exposing vulnerabilities in organizations that were not adequately prepared for digital operations. This study investigates how digital transformation in supply chain management has influenced the business performance of manufacturing companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid the pandemic. Utilizing organizational information processing theory and the dynamic capabilities perspective, a conceptual framework was created to connect the digital environment, digital capabilities, digital supply chain transformation, and business performance. Data were collected through a structured survey of 233 senior logistics managers and the model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Measurement validation confirmed reliability and discriminant validity of the constructs. The results reveal that both digital environment (β = 0.271, p = 0.005) and digital capabilities (β = 0.304, p = 0.003) significantly drive digital supply chain transformation, which in turn exerts a strong positive effect on business performance (β = 0.597, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis further shows that digital supply chain transformation significantly mediates the effects of digital environment on business performance. These findings emphasize the importance of developing robust internal digital capabilities alongside an enabling external digital environment to enhance supply-chain agility in turbulent contexts.