Supply Chain Digital Transformation of Food SMEs in Iran : A Qualitative Research on Success Factors and Challenges Based on Managers’ Perspectives 

Abstract: The transformation towards a knowledge-based economy is happening on a global scale and ‎the rapid ICT development in recent decades has influenced the business world. ‎One of the ‎most developed technology is information and communication technology (ICT) which ‎provides extensive capabilities and advantages to firms.            One of the emerging concepts linked to ICT is digital transformation. The term digital transformation of the ‎supply chain is defined as the adoption and reliance of the supply chain operations on ICT ‎and ‎digital technologies to perform business activities and meet ‎market‏ ‏‎requirements.‎ Thus, to ‎survive in competitive and dynamic markets, enterprises including SMEs should begin a digital transformation of the ‎supply chain to improve their ‎overall performance and efficiency. ‎ ‎         Despite the recurring research in this field, little research is conducted based on the ‎managers' perspective. The aim of this research is to explore the perception of the managers about this ‎phenomenon and to identify the success factor and challenges in the digital transformation of ‎the supply chain. This qualitative research is conducted based on semi-structured ‎interviews with managers of food SMEs in the Iranian context. The participants are supply chain managers ‎who ‎have five years of experience in the field.  The empirical data was collected through ‎individual semi-structured interviews with the selected participants, and from the review of ‎organizational documents and was subject to a thematic analysis. ‎           From the analysis of the data five themes emerged which were reviewed in the context ‎of the research question and the proposed theoretical framework with the help of the ‎Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Model.‎           Thus, based on the research result, participants perceive digital ‎transformation as a conceptual tool that streamlines the supply chain activities and improves ‎the overall efficiency of the supply chain. ‎In addition, findings identify the development of ICT infrastructure and increased awareness ‎of ICT benefits as success factors in this regard. On the other hand, there are two issues ‎including lack of investment and the traditional business model which were considered ‎hindering factors in digital transformation.‎ Further, based on the TOE model and from the findings, it is evident that a successful ‎digital transformation requires proper ICT adoption in three contexts of a firm i.e. ‎technological, organizational, and environmental contexts.‎