LEVERAGING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION TO ENHANCE SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

This paper explores the connection between digital transformation and supply chain resilience (SCR) in emerging markets, which includes the enabling technologies, strategic mechanisms, and contextual barriers that impact the connection. The study is based on a systematic review of 25 peer-reviewed studies they had available, which were published between 2021 and 2026 and include evidence from various economic contexts, such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe. The results validate the impact that digital transformation, comprising of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced data analytics, can have on supply chain resilience, particularly in terms of visibility, flexibility and adaptability. The adoption of such technologies in emerging markets, however, is hindered by financial access barriers, infrastructural gaps, lack of digital literacy and the lack of institutional backing. It seems that LSEs get most value from a holistic approach to digital integration, whereas SMEs can make a significant difference in terms of resilience with digital interventions that are low cost and targeted. The paper proposes a conceptual framework that connects the digital transformation capabilities and the digital transformation dimensions of the supply chain resilience, and proposes three research propositions that can be tested in the empirical study. Governments, development agencies and enterprise managers in resource constrained supply chain environments are provided with policy recommendations.