DSC Index: Measuring the Digital Supply Chain Practice among the Higher Education Institutions Community in Least Developed Countries

Abstract

The 4th Industrial Revolution, more commonly
referred to as Industry 4.0, has brought about a wave of
multifaceted changes across the industrial spectrum around
the world, and it has triggered the digitalisation of supply
chains and their management regardless of the type of
organisation. With increasing interconnectivity through
various sectors, digital supply chain (DSC) practices and
intentions have also become integral to higher education
institutions. As streamlined, automated administrative
processes and virtual classes conducted through online
platforms become the norm, digitalisation has been
catalysed in the education sector. However, several
sociocultural, economic, and psychographic factors
influence the adaptation of new technologies, especially in
developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study uses
the composite index approach to determine the Index
derived from the correlation between the factors and their
impact on the DSC practices and intentions. The study
indicates that Trust (T) is the primary influencer, along
with Performance Expectancy (PE), closely followed by
Facilitating Value (FV), Facilitating Conditions (FC), and
Digital Literacy (DL).