Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Resilience, and Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review with Implications for Saudi Arabian Manufacturing

This systematic review examines the critical intersection of digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and sustainability within manufacturing contexts, with specific implications for Saudi Arabian industries. Through a comprehensive analysis of 124 peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2024, we identify how emerging technologies—including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics—transform traditional supply chains into dynamic ecosystems capable of withstanding disruptions while advancing sustainability goals. Our findings reveal that digital transformation positively influences both resilience and sustainability outcomes. Still, these relationships are significantly moderated by three key factors: supply chain dynamism, regulatory uncertainty, and integration of innovative technologies. The study demonstrates that while high supply chain dynamism amplifies the positive effects of digital technologies on resilience capabilities, regulatory uncertainty creates implementation barriers that potentially diminish these benefits. Moreover, successfully integrating innovative technologies is a critical mediating mechanism translating digital initiatives into tangible sustainability improvements. The review synthesises these findings into an integrated conceptual framework that captures the complex interrelationships between these domains and provides specific strategic recommendations for Saudi Arabian manufacturing organisations. By addressing the identified research gaps—particularly the lack of industry-specific investigations in emerging economies—this review offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to leverage digital transformation for simultaneously efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chain operations in rapidly evolving business environments.