This study examines how digital transformation enhances supply chain resilience among Chinese firms, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms and contextual conditions. Grounded in dynamic capabilities theory, we conceptualize supply chain resilience along two dimensions: proactive capability and reactive capability. Using data from A-share listed companies between 2007 and 2022, we construct firm-level resilience measures through entropy weighting. Digital transformation is measured by textual analysis of corporate annual reports, supplemented with policy documents and academic literature to enrich the keyword dictionary. Empirical results, validated through instrumental variable estimation, Heckman two-stage models, and multiple robustness checks, show that digital transformation significantly improves overall supply chain resilience, with a stronger effect on reactive capability. Further analysis identifies three mediating channels: improved information sharing across the supply chain, enhanced firm-level innovation, and reduced exposure to environmental uncertainty. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the positive impact of digital transformation is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, high-tech firms, and firms in technology-intensive or labor-intensive industries. The effect is also stronger for firms operating under high environmental uncertainty or located in regions with lower levels of marketization. These findings offer practical guidance for managers and policymakers aiming to strengthen supply chains through digitalization, particularly in an era marked by growing global disruptions and sustainability challenges.
Li et al. (2025) studied this question.