Digital Technologies for Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: Source-Push and Value Chain-Pull Mechanisms

Abstract

In addressing the complexities of sustainable development, the integration of digital technologies (DTs) with supply chain collaboration offers firms diverse strategic solutions. While prior studies have examined how DT shapes internal decision-making and stakeholder engagement, limited attention has been paid to how DT influences the dynamic collaborative capabilities of distinct supply chain stakeholders in advancing corporate sustainability. Grounded in the dynamic resource-based view (Dynamic RBV), this study conceptualizes sustainable dynamic capabilities (SDCs) as comprising sustainable information capability (SIC) and sustainable relationship capability (SRC)—the abilities to share sustainability-related information and to adapt and leverage external sustainable partnerships, respectively. Using panel data from manufacturing firms listed on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets between 2010 and 2023, sourced from CSMAR and iFinD databases, this study employs fixed-effects and system GMM models to test the proposed relationships. Results show that DT enhances SIC, which in turn facilitates SRC, ultimately improving corporate sustainability performance (CSP). Moreover, firms at different supply chain positions exhibit distinct sustainability priorities as upstream suppliers focus on resource efficiency, while downstream customers emphasize environmental compliance and product-level sustainability. These upstream and downstream actors influence CSP through two mechanisms—resource-driven “source-push” and demand-driven “value chain-pull”. This study deepens the understanding of stakeholder heterogeneity in sustainable collaboration and offers practical insights for managers to tailor sustainability strategies that reinforce supply chain-wide dynamic capabilities.