Tech-Savvy Leadership: The Critical Role of Technology Management in Maximizing the Impact of Top Management Commitment on Supply Chain Success

Abstract

The textile sector is Pakistan’s largest manufacturing industry, yet it faces persistent supply chain challenges due to cotton shortages, outdated infrastructure, political instability, and weak technological integration. This study explores how top management commitment (TMC) and technology management (TM) interact to enhance supply chain performance (SCP) within this context. Grounded in Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), the research conceptualizes TMC as a higher-order managerial capability and TM as a strategic operational capability that enables sensing, seizing, and transforming in uncertain environments. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 356 supply chain professionals in Pakistan’s textile industry. Using validated measurement instruments, the study applied regression analysis and Hayes’s PROCESS Macro to test hypotheses. Results reveal that TMC positively influences both SCP and TM, while TM directly enhances SCP and significantly mediates the TMC–SCP relationship. Nearly half of leadership’s impact on supply chain outcomes is transmitted through technology management. These findings extend DCT by confirming its applicability in a traditional, resource-constrained industry, demonstrating that dynamic capabilities are equally vital outside high-tech or advanced manufacturing contexts. Practically, the study highlights that leadership commitment alone is insufficient; proactive investment in digitalization, automation, and analytics is essential to translate strategic vision into operational excellence. For policymakers, the results emphasize the need for supportive frameworks, subsidies, and training programs to accelerate technological adoption across the textile value chain. Overall, the study contributes both theoretical insights and practical implications for achieving supply chain competitiveness in emerging economies adapting to global transformations.