Human-Machine Synergy in Industry 5.0: Redefining Supply Chain Agility and Innovation

Abstract

In the Industry 5.0 era, human–machine collaboration, personalized intelligence, and sustainability are transforming HR and supply chain management. Grounded in the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities theory, this study examines how digital HRs (DHRs) influence supply chain agility (SCA) and innovation (SCI), with digital capabilities (DCs) as a mediator and organizational flexibility (OF) as a moderator. Survey data from 719 Chinese manufacturing firms show that DHRs positively impact SCA and SCI through enhanced DCs, which partially mediate the effect. While OF does not affect the DHR–SCA link, it negatively moderates the DHR–SCI relationship. This research advances cross-disciplinary understanding of digital HRs in supply chains and offers insights for firms optimizing resources amid intelligent transformation.