International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

The Impact of Supply Chain Digitization on the Competitiveness of Traditional E-commerce Enterprises in China: A Qualitative Study of Nanchang-based Businesses

Open access
This study investigates the influence of supply chain digitization on the competitiveness of traditional e-commerce enterprises in China, focusing on businesses operating in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. As the e-commerce landscape in China evolves rapidly, traditional enterprises face increasing pressure to integrate digital technologies within their supply chains to remain competitive. This study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing thematic analysis based on interviews with 20 participants from Nanchang’s traditional e-commerce sector. The research explores five key factors influencing competitiveness: visibility, agility, market sensing, social networking, and organizational effectiveness. The findings reveal that enhanced visibility enables better decision-making, real-time monitoring, and proactive problem resolution. Agility allows businesses to swiftly adapt to market changes, ensuring operational continuity and customer satisfaction. Market sensing facilitates the identification of emerging trends, enabling customer-centric adjustments and product innovation. Social networking fosters collaboration, real-time communication, and strong supplier relationships, driving efficient crisis management and innovation. Moreover, organizational effectiveness mediates the impact of these factors, ensuring streamlined processes, cost savings, and customer-focused operations. The study concludes that successful integration of supply chain digitization significantly enhances operational efficiency, customer engagement, and resilience among traditional e-commerce enterprises. However, businesses must address challenges related to technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing in-depth insights into the specific challenges and opportunities faced by traditional e-commerce enterprises in China, offering practical implications for managers and policymakers to drive digital transformation strategies.
Ajayi, F. A., & Udeh, C. A. (2024). A comprehensive review of talent management strategies for seafarers: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(2), 1116-1131.
Al Mashalah, H., Hassini, E., Gunasekaran, A., & Bhatt, D. (2022). The impact of digital transformation on supply chains through e-commerce: Literature review and a conceptual framework. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 165, 102837.
Alghamdi, O., & Agag, G. (2024). Competitive advantage: A longitudinal analysis of the roles of data-driven innovation capabilities, marketing agility, and market turbulence. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 76, 103547.
Asamoah, D., Agyei-Owusu, B., & Ashun, E. (2020). Social network relationship, supply chain resilience and customer-oriented performance of small and medium enterprises in a developing economy. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(5), 1793-1813.
Bigliardi, B., Filippelli, S., Petroni, A., & Tagliente, L. (2022). The digitalization of supply chain: a review. Procedia Computer Science, 200, 1806-1815.
Butollo, F. (2021). Digitalization and the geographies of production: Towards reshoring or global fragmentation? Competition & Change, 25(2), 259-278.
Chen, Y., & Chi, T. (2021). How does channel integration affect consumers’ selection of omni-channel shopping methods? An empirical study of US consumers. Sustainability, 13(16), 8983.
Cumming, D., Johan, S., & Reardon, R. (2023). Global fintech trends and their impact on international business: a review. Multinational Business Review, 31(3), 413-436.
Dai, H., & Wang, G. (2019). Study on the Impact of Customs and Internal Taxation Policies on Cross-border E-commerce Orientation. Proceedings of the 2019 3rd International Conference on Education Technology and Economic Management (ICETEM2019),
Gajewska, T., Zimon, D., Kaczor, G., & Madzík, P. (2020). The impact of the level of customer satisfaction on the quality of e-commerce services. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 69(4), 666-684.
Gong, S. (2023). Digital transformation of supply chain management in retail and e-commerce. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management.
Guthrie, C., Fosso-Wamba, S., & Arnaud, J. B. (2021). Online consumer resilience during a pandemic: An exploratory study of e-commerce behavior before, during and after a COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 61, 102570.
Lin, X., & Wang, X. (2023). Towards a model of social commerce: improving the effectiveness of e-commerce through leveraging social media tools based on consumers’ dual roles. European Journal of Information Systems, 32(5), 782-799.
Mak, H. Y., & Max Shen, Z. J. (2021). When triple?A supply chains meet digitalization: The case of JD. com's C2M model. Production and Operations Management, 30(3), 656-665.
Nasti, S. M., & Chishti, M. A. (2024). A Review of AI-Enhanced Navigation Strategies for Mobile Robots in Dynamic Environments. 2024 ASU International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS),
Philip, A. V., & KA, Z. (2020). Effective engagement of digital natives in the ever-transforming digital world. Digital Transformation in Business and Society: Theory and Cases, 113-125.
Raji, M. A., Olodo, H. B., Oke, T. T., Addy, W. A., Ofodile, O. C., & Oyewole, A. T. (2024). E-commerce and consumer behavior: A review of AI-powered personalization and market trends. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 18(3), 066-077.
Rialti, R., & Zollo, L. (2023). Marketing 4.0 for SMEs in the Digital Era: A Customer-Centric Approach. In Digital Transformation of SME Marketing Strategies: Innovating for the 4.0 Era (pp. 81-131). Springer.
Wahyuningtyas, S. Y., & Singgalen, Y. A. (2023). Mapping Stakeholder Perceptions: Navigating Biometric Data Protection Initiative and Face Recognition Technology Support in Indonesia.
Wang, M., Liu, T., & Zhou, W. (2023). Internet Plus, Industrial Transformation, and China’s Evolving Urban System. Journal of Urban Technology, 30(5), 3-23.
Jingya, C., & Mun, S. K. C. (2025). The Impact of Supply Chain Digitization on the Competitiveness of Traditional E-commerce Enterprises in China: A Qualitative Study of Nanchang-based Businesses. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15(8), 463–474.