From Analytics to Agility: How Smart Contract Capability and Supply Chain Digitalization Strengthen Supply Chain Performance in Financial Services

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ph.D. Candidate in Financial Law, Faculty of Economics and Financial Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The growing digitalization of financial services has transformed supply chain operations, creating new opportunities to improve responsiveness and organizational performance through advanced data-driven and automation technologies. Despite substantial investments in big data analytics, many financial service organizations continue to struggle to convert analytical insights into agile operational capabilities and sustainable performance improvements. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated framework that explains how Big Data Analytics Capabilities (BAC) contribute to Supply Chain Performance (SCP) through the mediating role of Supply Chain Agility (SCA), while examining the contingent effects of Supply Chain Digitalization (SCD) and Smart Contract Capability (SCC). Data were collected through a structured survey administered to managers from financial institutions, digital banking providers, fintech companies, electronic payment service providers, and financial technology firms. Hierarchical regression analysis and PROCESS bootstrapping techniques were employed to examine the proposed direct, mediating, and moderating relationships. The findings demonstrate that BAC significantly enhances SCA, which subsequently improves SCP, confirming the mediating role of agility. In addition, both SCD and SCC strengthen the positive influence of BAC on SCA as well as the impact of SCA on SCP. These results indicate that organizations with more advanced digital infrastructures and stronger smart contract capabilities are more successful in transforming analytical intelligence into agile operational responses and superior supply chain outcomes.

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