Research on World Agricultural Economy

The Impact of Digital Technologies Adoption on the Resilience of Agricultural Supply Chains: A Study on Traditional Market Actors

Ngoc Huong Quynh Pham

Faculty of Political Economy, VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Chi Anh Phan

School of Business Administration, VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Thu Ha Nguyen

School of Business Administration, VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Dinh Phuong Trieu

Faculty of Accounting and Business, Thuyloi University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Thi Thuy Dam

Faculty of Accounting and Business, Thuyloi University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Thi Kim Hoa Dang

Faculty of Accounting and Business Management, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Thi Thuy Duong Nguyen

Faculty of Marketing, Thuongmai University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam

Nguyen Van Phuong

Van Phuong

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v7i2.2886

Received: 2 November 2025; Published: 3 June 2026

Abstract

In the context of escalating global and localized disruptions, ensuring the resilience of agri-food supply chains has become paramount, particularly in developing economies where traditional markets remain crucial channels for food distribution. Existing literature has predominantly focused on digital transformation within large, formalized supply systems, creating a significant research gap regarding the impact of digital technology adoption (DTA) among small-scale traders in informal, resource-constrained environments. Building on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) Theory, this study investigates how DTA (including mobile ICT, e-commerce, and digital payments) enhances supply chain resilience (SCR) through the development of three key supply chain capabilities: Information, Collaboration, and Adaptability. Data were collected from a survey of 170 small-scale agricultural traders operating in traditional markets in Hanoi, Vietnam, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The robust empirical findings confirm that DTA significantly enhances all three capabilities. Furthermore, the results validate that the impact of digital technologies on SCR occurs primarily through the significant mediating mechanism of supply chain capabilities. Notably, Adaptability capability emerged as the strongest and most influential predictor of resilience. Theoretically, this study extends the application of the RBV–DC framework by providing novel, context-specific evidence on how digital resources are utilized as dynamic capabilities to foster resilience in highly informal market settings. Practically, the findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and technology providers, demonstrating that even basic, widely accessible digital tools are crucial for enabling continuity of operations and enhancing operational resilience in traditional agricultural supply chains.

Keywords: Agricultural Supply Chains; Digital Adoption; Resilience; Supply Chain Capabilities; Traditional Markets

References