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).