Supply chain finance in a digital and sustainable environment

Published by bcrc on 10 April 202510 April 2025

Article: A literature review of supply chain finance in a digital and sustainable environment: A conceptual framework

Authors: Jan Jansen, Elena Kaledinova, Ann Wolter

The article was published in the London Journal of Social Sciences, January 2024. DOI: 10.31039/ljss.2024.7.185

Full-text available at researchgate.net: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377724598_A_literature_review_of_supply_chain_finance_in_a_digital_and_sustainable_environment_A_conceptual_framework

Abstract

In this article, a literature review is completed to investigate the role of an IT platform connecting companies in the supply chain and to define Supply Chain Finance metrics in terms of the improvement of liquidity, efficiency, and (multiple) value creation. The significance of IT platforms is that they facilitate information, communication and new technologies and allow companies to improve their financial and non-financial performance and optimise their supply chain processes from different perspectives.

Keywords: Supply chain finance, Supply chain, Lean manufacturing, Working capital, Enterprise Resource Planning, IT platform, New business models, Multiple value model

The key points:

1. Conceptual Framework: The article provides a conceptual framework for understanding supply chain finance in the context of digital and sustainable environments.
2. Supply Chain Finance Metrics: These metrics define the assessment of improvements in liquidity, efficiency, and value creation within supply chains.
3. IT Platforms in Supply Chains: The study highlights how IT platforms facilitate communication, information sharing, and the adoption of new technologies, optimizing supply chain processes.
4. Financial and Non-Financial Performance: The article emphasizes the importance of IT platforms in enhancing both the financial and non-financial performance of companies.
5. Multiple Perspectives: The study examines supply chain optimization from various perspectives, including lean manufacturing and working capital management.

Who benefits:

• Supply Chain Managers gain insights into leveraging digital tools for better financial outcomes.
• SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises): Especially those looking to improve cash flow and operational resilience.
• Researchers & Academics: The article provides a foundation for further exploration into SCF in the context of digital transformation and sustainability.
• Policy Makers & Financial Institutions: The article helps understand the evolving landscape of SCF and its potential for broader economic impact.

Key definitions:

Supply Chain Finance (SCF)—a field that directly affects liquidity, efficiency, and value creation across interconnected businesses.

An Information Technology platform (IT platform) is a digital infrastructure that enables the integration, automation, and management of processes, data, and communication across organizations or systems.

How to cite:

Jansen, J., Kaledinova, E., & Wolter, A. (2024). A literature review of supply chain finance in a digital and sustainable environment: A conceptual framework. London Journal of Social Sciences, 7, 13-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31039/ljss.2024.7.185

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