Revealing patterns of technology and commerce: Evidence from digital competitiveness and logistics performance

Digital competitiveness and logistics performance are key pillars of national economic efficiency and trade integration. Although both indicators have been extensively studied separately, their structural relationship remains insufficiently explored. As we show, a better understanding of this relationship is critical in a multitude of policy decisions. Addressing this gap, the present study uses a structured framework combining objective weighting, efficiency estimation, and correspondence mapping to capture and expose the joint structure. We use comparable data for 51 countries from the World Digital Competitiveness Rankings (WDCR) and the Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The analysis uncovers hidden mismatches between digital competitiveness and logistics performance: some countries demonstrate strong logistics outcomes despite their limited digital resources, while others fail to fully translate advanced digital capabilities into logistics performance. Countries with the weakest digital competitiveness also exhibit poor performance across logistics indicators, particularly in customs operations. Conversely, the strongest digital performers show superior logistics outcomes, especially in infrastructure, tracking and tracing, and international shipments. Countries in the middle range reveal diverse outcomes: some leverage digital tools effectively, while others struggle with bottlenecks in customs or service quality. As such, one of the objectives of this work is to map how WDCR and LPI interact. The findings, in particular the strong association between digital capacity and customs performance, indicate the need for integrated policies. As an actionable recommendation, we propose co-investment in national data/broadband and data governance, together with border single-window and interoperability reforms, so that digital upgrades convert into measurable logistics gains. • Introduces a multi-method approach combining CRITIC, DEA, and MCA. • Reveals asymmetries between digital competitiveness and logistics performance. • Identifies efficiency frontiers and misalignments in 51 countries. • Demonstrates that customs and infrastructure drive the digital–logistics linkage. • Offers policy implications for digital transformation and trade efficiency.