The Impact of Digitalization on Competitiveness: The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Integration in Morocco’s Fisheries Sector

Abstract

Digitalization of supply chains is increasingly recognized as a strategic driver of competitiveness, particularly in sectors characterized by high operational complexity, strong information intensity, and stringent regulatory requirements. However, prior research highlights that the performance and competitiveness outcomes of digitalization remain contingent upon the organizational and inter-organizational mechanisms through which digital technologies are deployed. In this context, this study examines the impact of supply chain digitalization on competitiveness within the Moroccan fisheries sector, emphasizing the mediating role of supply chain integration.

Drawing on a quantitative survey of 563 actors involved across all major stages of the Moroccan fisheries supply chain and covering the Kingdom’s main coastal regions, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that digitalization significantly strengthens supply chain integration, which in turn exerts a direct and decisive effect on competitiveness. The results further demonstrate that supply chain integration represents the central mechanism through which digital capabilities are translated into competitive performance at the inter-organizational level.

From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to the supply chain management literature by confirming the conditional and indirect nature of digitalization effects, while positioning supply chain integration as a key structural lever of competitiveness in perishable product supply chains. From a managerial standpoint, the findings highlight the importance of conceiving digitalization as a means to enhance coordination, connectivity, and information sharing among supply chain actors in order to achieve sustainable competitiveness in the Moroccan fisheries sector.

JEL Classification: M11; L25; O33; Q22

Paper Type: Empirical Research