In the context of rapid digital technology innovation and society’s active efforts to build efficient, intelligent, and secure supply chain systems, the connection between digital technology innovation and supply chain development has grown increasingly close. By introducing advanced technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, digital technology innovation is profoundly transforming supply chain operations and management approaches. On one hand, digital technology innovation enhances supply chain transparency and traceability. Through real-time data sharing and analysis, enterprises can more accurately forecast demand, optimize inventory, reduce waste, and respond swiftly to market shifts. On the other hand, digital technology innovation also creates more opportunities for enterprises to collaborate with suppliers, customers, and third-party service providers. This helps break down information barriers and geographical constraints in traditional supply chains, potentially reducing reliance on single suppliers or channels while promoting diversification and flexibility in supply chain development. However, the impact of digital technology innovation on supply chain concentration is not unidirectional. It may also indirectly increase concentration by enhancing the competitiveness and control of core enterprises. So, how exactly will digital technology innovation influence the supply chain? Can it reduce supply chain concentration and thereby promote the diversified development of the supply chain?
To investigate these issues in depth, this study focuses on Chinese A-share listed companies, utilizing quantified data on digital technology innovation patents and supply chain concentration. Employing high-dimensional panel fixed effects models and mediation effect models, we empirically analyze the impact of corporate digital technology innovation on supply chain concentration from 2010 to 2022, while exploring potential influencing mechanisms and heterogeneity effects. The findings reveal: (1) Digital technology innovation significantly reduces corporate supply chain concentration, a conclusion that remains robust after a series of robustness tests. (2) Mechanism analysis demonstrates that digital technology innovation lowers supply chain concentration through two channels: driving corporate digital transformation and enhancing corporate profitability.(3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that digital technology innovation exhibits stronger concentration-reducing effects among enterprises with high labor intensity, substantial R&D investment, effective internal controls, compliant information disclosure, and enterprises in regions with lower administrative monopoly levels, and advanced digital economy development. (4) Extended research indicates that digital technology innovation exerts a certain suppressive effect on corporate operational risk, market risk, and supply chain risk.
The main contributions of this paper are (1) Unlike previous literature’s measurement methods for digital technology innovation, which relied on subjective keyword extraction from annual reports, this study adopts a quantitative approach based on digital technology innovation outcomes. This provides a more objective and scientific assessment of corporate digital technology innovation levels; (2) It enriches the literature on digital technology innovation’s impact on supply chain management by focusing on its influence on supply chain concentration and exploring the underlying mechanisms. This helps enterprises better understand how digital technology innovation transforms supply chain management models and methods, providing a basis for supply chain configuration decisions; (3) It expands research on the economic consequences of digital technology innovation by examining its effects on corporate risk and supply chain risk, offering new perspectives for future studies.
The findings hold significant reference value for both corporate digital technology innovation and supply chain management. On one hand, governments can formulate policies to encourage enterprises to increase investment in digital technology innovation, incentivize active engagement in such activities, and guide enterprises in rationally applying innovation outcomes to optimize supply chain management. On the other hand, it assists enterprises in rationally planning digital technology investments, optimizing supply chain layouts, and advancing supply chain management toward greater intelligence and efficiency, thereby enhancing the stability and competitiveness of the entire supply chain system.
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