INTELLIGENT SUPPLY CHAIN PERSPECTIVES IN BRIDGING DIGITALIZATION SUSTAINABILITY AND FUTURE COMPETITIVENESS

Abstract

The evolution of intelligent supply chains reflects the growing intersection of digitalization, sustainability, and global competitiveness. This article explores how digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital twins can transform supply chain operations while highlighting the environmental and social trade-offs that accompany these innovations. Drawing upon recent scholarship and global reports, the study reviews current literature, identifies persistent issues, and discusses systemic barriers that hinder the full realization of intelligent supply chains. The findings reveal that while digital tools enhance visibility, resilience, and efficiency, they are frequently undermined by integration difficulties, regulatory fragmentation, and uneven adoption across industries and regions. Sustainability outcomes are further complicated by the high energy consumption of digital infrastructures and the risk of rebound effects. The discussion emphasizes that technology-driven supply chains require more than technical capacity: governance alignment, inclusivity, workforce transformation, and environmental stewardship must be embedded to deliver long-term value. Based on these insights, the article offers suggestions for embedding sustainability into digital strategies, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, supporting organizational learning, and redefining competitiveness around low-carbon performance and resilience. Intelligent supply chains are ultimately presented as a paradigm shift that reconfigures global commerce by balancing efficiency with responsibility, growth with equity, and innovation with ecological sustainability.