The effect of a sustainable supply chain on the financial and operational performance of the supply chain with the mediating role of digital supply chain integration (Case of: Hezardastan Holding)

In recent years, concerns about the negative effects of the functions and misuse of emerging technologies on the environment have increased. In response to the tightening of environmental regulations, increasing consumer awareness, and increasing demand for sustainable products, the main objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of sustainable supply chain management with the mediating role of digital supply chain integration on the performance of the relevant business. For this reason, the present study was conducted using a questionnaire tool and the statistical population of the research included employees of Hezardastan Holding Company, which is one of the leading businesses in explaining digital functions in supply chain management. The number of selected samples is 351 people, which were selected based on the total number of employees, which is 1200, and using the Cochran formula. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling and SPSS 24 and AMOS 20 software. The test statistics are all greater than 3.8. The results indicate that sustainable supply chain and digital integration have a positive impact on operational and financial performance and related components such as simplification and transparency of financial activities through the integration of supply chain strategy in businesses such as Hezardastan Holding. Thus, decision-makers are advised to increase the effectiveness of strategies by setting relevant indicators to measure the level of supply chain sustainability and developing a roadmap, thereby improving business performance.
According to the results of the study conducted at Hezardastan Holding Company, it was found that the effect of a sustainable supply chain on financial performance was positive and significant, and the first hypothesis was accepted. Therefore, the efficiency of the company's strategic effort to realize social and environmental responsibility through systematic coordination of buyer-supplier relationships and inter-organizational business processes affects the company's financial performance. It is recommended that companies put the production and development of environmentally friendly products/services on their agenda. To facilitate this, it can be suggested that governing bodies make the renewal of companies' operating licenses conditional on obtaining an environmental management certificate. In addition, providing facilities to companies that care about their social and environmental responsibility and report regularly in this regard in accordance with global standards can create incentives to pursue such goals.
The effect of sustainable supply chain on operational performance was positive and significant, and the second hypothesis of the present study was accepted. Therefore, inventory, information, and capital management, as well as collaboration between companies along the supply chain, with the aim of achieving sustainability along with strengthening coordinated supply chains by integrating economic, environmental, and social considerations with inter-organizational business systems in the long term, will help to achieve the goals of supply chain partners. Improving the environmental knowledge of employees and managers of companies and, in addition, selecting superior companies based on the environmental performance of companies by governing bodies can be useful in this regard.
The effect of digital-based supply chain integration on financial performance was positive and significant, and as a result, the third hypothesis of this study was accepted. Therefore, by integrating the supply chain through digital technologies, we can witness a set of activities related to coordinating the flow of products and information throughout the supply chain using digital technologies, which will help the company retain current customers and attract new customers. This will improve the company's financial performance. By focusing on digitalizing the supply chain, customers will be satisfied with the service provided and more financial processes and transactions will be carried out in the company. Given this result, the use of digital supply chain management tools, such as cloud-based platforms or enterprise resource planning systems, to monitor and manage supply chain activities is recommended to business leaders. In this way, real-time insight and coordination across the supply chain will be improved, delivery times will be reduced, and resource utilization will be optimized.
The effect of digital supply chain integration on operational performance was also positive and significant, and as a result, the fourth hypothesis of this study was also accepted. Efficient supply chain integration through digitalization, which is carried out in order to integrate the flow of materials, information, and capital, as well as synchronize the processes of supply chain partners, will eliminate the important challenge of geographical distance in supply chain integration. In this way, companies will be able to achieve better insight and collaboration throughout the supply chain. It is recommended that companies use emerging technologies, including cloud computing, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, and social media, in their supply chain management.
Finally, it was found that sustainable supply chain, by mediating the role of digital-based supply chain integration, had a positive and significant impact on business performance. Therefore, the fifth hypothesis was also accepted. The impact of sustainable supply chain on the company's business performance is important in two ways. One is directly and with the impact it has on two components of business performance, namely operational performance and financial performance, as determined in the previous hypotheses; the other is indirectly and with the impact that sustainable supply chain has on digital-based supply chain integration, it causes the development and strengthening of the company's business performance. In this way, it is appropriate to measure, evaluate and judge its performance during certain and continuous periods. Companies must clearly and openly define and explain their supply chain strategy with stakeholders.
For future studies, it is suggested that blockchain applications be considered in increasing transparency, integrity, and trust in supply chains and its effects on improving performance. Such a study would determine how blockchain can be used to improve traceability and authenticity of materials and what its impact is on costs and sustainability. It would also be useful to study the impact of AI in optimizing supply chain processes and reducing waste. This would determine how AI can help in demand forecasting, inventory management, and transportation optimization.