THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SUPPLY CHAIN COLLABORATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY, TRUST AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The aim of this article is to understand the link between trust, technology and supply chain cooperation and its impact on the operational performance of Pakistan's aviation industry. Based on the existing literature, a theoretical model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling. A survey was conducted to collect data on supply chain professionals, aircraft engineers and cargo handlers working in various airlines and land handling companies in Pakistan. The results of the research show that through ongoing relationships, trust will develop and form over time, and can form a competitiveness that competitors do not easily copy. Trust and technology are seen to have a significant impact on supply chain collaboration and companies' operational performance. One of the major limitations ofthe study is that the data comes from one economy, which limits its generalizability in other economies. The study is a cross-sectional and descriptive sample of the aviation industry at a given point in time. More detailed tests ofthe relationship between trust, technology, supply chain collaboration, and operational performance require detailed case studies or longitudinal studies. The results ofthe study will enable supply chain professionals in the aviation industry to understand the strategic role of trust and technology in establishing supply chain collaboration to achieve operational excellence. The paper clearly confirms that trust and technical capabilities significantly related to supply chain collaboration and operational performance. Most ofthe early research processes for supply chain collaboration are based on developed economies. In these economies, the challenges of supply chain collaboration can be predicted, and current research is based on the environment of developing economies. This study helps the authors understand the challenges ofsupply chain cooperative management in developing are economies.