Abstract
In the context of the South African supply chain industry, significant challenges have arisen owing to the non-adoption of Digital Supply Chain 4.0. These challenges encompass a range of issues, including the inefficiencies associated with manual processes, the limited availability of real-time information, resulting in reduced responsiveness to dynamic market demands, the persistence of data silos leading to inaccurate demand forecasting, unsatisfactory customer experiences due to delivery failures, and the emergence of competitive disadvantages. Therefore, the purpose of this research study was to investigate and define the benefits and barriers faced by organizations globally and in South Africa. This emphasis is initiated from the global trend wherein a growing number of organizations are embracing cutting-edge technologies to enhance their competitiveness, reduce operational costs, and improve overall efficiency which is a trend that holds particular relevance for South Africa, as a developing country committed to embracing the fourth industrial revolution.
To achieve this objective, the research adopted an approach, commencing with a review of existing scholarly literature to gain valuable insights into the field of Supply Chain 4.0. Subsequently, a quantitative research methodology was employed, and a total of 101 survey responses were collected and analyzed. The data was analyzed using Excel software to outline response comparisons and detect dominant trends. Furthermore, supplementary analysis was conducted utilizing SPSS to calculate statistical measures such as the mean and standard deviation, thereby facilitating the assessment of data variability relative to the mean. The research findings predominantly underscore the imperative need for enabling technologies and driving factors as instrumental components for organizations seeking to navigate the obstacles identified and reap the rewards offered by Digital Supply Chain 4.0. The implementation of Digital Supply Chain 4.0 emerges as pivotal for South Africa, particularly in its attempt to effectively address the challenges associated with global competitiveness and supply chain dynamics. By embracing the specified enabling technologies, South Africa is well-positioned to assume a leadership role in the sphere of supply chain innovations within the African context. This research expands the existing body of knowledge and has the potential to offer valuable insights for the formulation of policies pertinent to Digital Supply Chain 4.0.
Keywords: Supply chain, Digital supply 4.0, 4IR, digitalization