Understanding digital capabilities and their impacts on Australian agri-food supply chain resilience: Engineering vs. socio-ecological thinking

Abstract

Many agri-food supply chains (SCs) are vulnerable to sudden disruptions (i.e., shocks), which can have devastating impacts. SC member firms’ digital capabilities (as routinized and integrated resource bundles) have the potential to address these challenges, yet their nature and differentiated impacts on engineering versus socio-ecological resilience are not well understood in the present literature. The purpose of this study is to address these gaps. First, a comprehensive taxonomy of five digital capabilities (labelled LogisticsTech, SecureData, ClientValue, InsightDecision, and InnovateTech) is developed, along with a set of nine resilience criteria/sub-criteria useful for resiliency evaluation. This was achieved through using a narrative literature review, a content analysis, validated by a Delphi study, and semi-structured interviews. Second, the relative impacts of these capabilities on resilience are assessed through pairwise comparison, network analysis, and system dynamics modelling across six Australian agri-food SCs (Grains, Red Meat, Dairy, Horticulture, Seafood, and Wine). The study findings reveal that Australian agri-food SC members’ digital capabilities play distinct but interconnected roles in enhancing resilience, with their impact varying across persistence (engineering), adaptation, and transformation (socio-ecological) over different time frames. LogisticsTech is crucial for short-term, while SecureData safeguards long-term persistence. Moreover, InsightDecision supports immediate adaptation, ClientValue facilitates long-term adaptation, and InnovateTech drives systemic transformation and future-ready SCs. The study offers strategic insights for managers and policymakers to align digital technology adoption with resilience objectives.