The interplay of emerging technologies in pharmaceutical supply chain performance: An empirical investigation for the rise of Pharma 4.0

Abstract

The impact and the relevance of the emerging technologies on the supply chains have attracted researchers and practitioners alike worldwide. Based on the resource-based view and organizational information processing theory, this study attempts to investigate how emerging technologies influence supply chain performance, particularly pharmaceutical supply chain in regards to the rise of Pharma 4.0. The pharmaceutical supply chain processes are considered as the mediators and the emerging technology adoption barriers are proposed as the moderators. The study is evaluated using a survey of pharmaceutical companies in India. The findings indicate that manufacturing, distribution and consumption processes in the supply chain mediate the effects of emerging technologies on supply chain performance; however, mediating effects are weakened due to the presence of intricate barriers. This study thereby empirically investigates the interplay between emerging technologies in pharmaceutical supply chain performance and provides managerial insights with a proposed research framework on how to incorporate and encourage Pharma 4.0 for achieving sustainability in the supply chains.