The organizational collaboration framework of smart logistics ecological chain: a multi-case study in China

PurposeThis study explores the influencing factors of smart logistics ecological chain's (SLEC's) organizational collaboration and designs a corresponding conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachThe multi-case study is applied to this paper. Specifically, this study is a combination of exploratory and explanatory case studies.FindingsThe findings are threefold. First, empowerment capability and the information-sharing level are unique factors that affect SLEC's organizational collaboration. Second, greater empowerment capability stimulates the increase of information-sharing level. Third, emerging digital technology, personalized demand and peer competition affect the degree of SLEC's organizational collaboration through an intermediary variable – empowerment capability. Specifically, the emerging digital technology application and peer competition degrees have positive effects on empowerment capability, while the demand personalization degree negatively (positively) affects empowerment capability in the short (long) term.Originality/valueAs an important part of supply chain performance, organizational collaboration is receiving more attention. However, in the smart economy context, no theoretical framework exists for analyzing factors that affect the organizational collaboration degree of SLEC. This study fills this gap.