Research Publications

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Embargo
Threading the digital needle: the influence of process and technical digitalisation on competitive performance in the apparel supply chain
(Emerald Publishing, 2025) Susitha, E; Jayarathne, P.G.S. A; Herath, R
Purpose – This study aims to examine the role of process and technical digitalisation in enhancing the apparel supply chain’s competitive performance. This study further explores how firm size moderates these relationships, offering operational-level insights into the strategic deployment of digital capabilities. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional quantitative design was adopted, drawing on responses from 239 apparel industry practitioners. This study used structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis to validate the measurement model and test structural relationships, including moderation effects based on organisational size. Findings – Both process and technical digitalisation significantly enhance competitive performance, with technical digitalisation exhibiting a more potent effect. The findings indicate that process digitalisation benefits larger firms, while technical digitalisation influence remains consistent across different firm sizes. According to the findings, a differential effect of digitalisation types depends on the firm’s operational capacity and scale. Research limitations/implications – This study clarifies how digital technologies create value in supply chain performance. Technical digitalisation benefits all firms, but process digitalisation yields greater gains in larger, more resource-rich firms. Originality/value – This study integrates three perspectives to provide a refined lens for understanding the deployment of digital capabilities in supply chains. This study also contributes to the domain by investigating the effects of technical and process digitalisation on competitive performance in the apparel supply chain. The study offers a validated measurement framework and empirical evidence of how digital transformation drivers vary across organisations.
Open Access
Digitalisation dynamics: Developing a global index for digital pioneers, adapters, and followers
(Science Direct, 2025-04-25) Kumara, U; Wijerathna, D; Jayathilaka, R
Digitalisation has become a transformative force revamping economies, societies, and governance systems. It has fostered innovation and enhanced global competitiveness in an interconnected world. This study aims to construct a composite index for digitalisation to evaluate global digitalisation levels and categorise nations as digital pioneers, adapters, and followers. The index is developed using a Principal Component based on Factor Analysis, utilising secondary data gathered from World Development Indicators from 2010 to 2022. The study highlights that the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Korea dominate the top tier as digital pioneers through adopting emerging fourth-industrial revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, etc. Moreover, nations like Japan, Switzerland, Estonia, Czechia, and Iceland are categorised as digital adapters due to less digital investments in digital technologies and building digital ecosystems. At the same time, Madagascar, Paraguay, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Egypt remain at the bottom of the index as digital followers due to existing digital gap and digital literacy and skills among the population. This evidence provides digitalisation index an effective tool for policymakers and researchers to assess each nation's digitalisation levels and technological readiness, to formulate strategies and policies to enhance digital interaction, foster innovation, and promote economic growth.
Open Access
Enhancing Export Potential: The Synergistic Impact of Digitalisation and Export Market Orientation in Driving Export Success in Sri Lanka's Apparel Sector
(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Abeyruwan, N.; Wijesekara, H.; Weerasuriya, H.; Amarasekera, A.; Rajapakse, V.; Wisenthige, K.
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of digitalisation on the performance of Sri Lankan apparel exporters, both directly and indirectly. The indirect effect of digitalisation on export performance is evaluated through the mediation of export market orientation (EMO). EMO is the export ventures’ effort to infuse marketing strategies into its export activities. Given that apparel export ventures have embraced digital capabilities, the evaluation was conducted using data collected from 87 apparel manufacturing exporters in Sri Lanka operating on medium and large scale. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire instrument. The analytical technique employed in this study was partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLSSEM), which supported identifying the direct and indirect impacts vividly. The discoveries suggest that rather than the direct effect of digitalisation on export performance, the indirect effect of digitalisation through EMO has a significant impact on export performance. Also, the study reveals that EMO as a mediator plays a role of full mediation between the independent and the dependent constructs of the study. Digitalisation through EMO plays a crucial role in improving the export performance of apparel manufacturing exporters because effective adoption of digitalisation enables market sensing and eases the generation of export market intelligence, dissemination of that intelligence and responsiveness. The study provides significant insights for medium and large-scale apparel exporters, policymakers, and industry leaders on the importance of EMO strategies for enhancing export performance and survival in the global market while also serving as a guide for micro and small-scale ventures adopting digital practices.

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