IT enablement of supply chains: modeling the enablers

Abstract

Some enablers support the information technology (IT) enablement of supply chains. The aim of this paper is to understand mutual influences of these enablers and also to identify those enablers which support other enablers (“driving enablers”) and those which are most influenced by others (“dependent enablers”). A questionnaire‐based survey has been conducted to rank these enablers. The results of the survey and the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology have been used to evolve mutual relationships among these enablers. It is observed that two enablers, namely “awareness about use of IT in supply chains” and “trust among supply chain partners”, have high driving power and therefore deserve serious attention. The study concludes with a discussion and managerial implications.