Enabling supply chain efficacy through supply chain absorptive capacity and ambidexterity: empirical study from Middle East region-a moderated-mediation model

PurposeThis study tries to examine how supply chain (SC) absorptive capacity (AC), SC ambidexterity, SC risk mitigation and supply chain agility (SCA) affect SC efficacy (SCE) in manufacturing firms (MFs) in the Middle East region.Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative approach through a survey-based study, 1,004 questionnaires were distributed to the MFs that are listed in the chambers of the industries of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in the Middle East region, with 239 useable and valid responses retrieved for analysis, representing a 23.8% response rate. The main respondents were chief executive managers, operations managers, managers and logistics managers from both mid and top levels. The conceptual model was tested by using a hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The findings are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using partial least squares-SEM (PLS-SEM) software.FindingsThis study illustrates a significant relationship between SC AC, SC ambidexterity, SC risk mitigation and SCA on SCE. Further, the findings indicate that there is a significant effect of SC risk mitigation as a mediating factor in the relationship between SC AC, and SC ambidexterity on SCE directly and indirectly, as well through a moderating effect of SCA in these relations. Finally, there is a significant direct and indirect effect of SCA in the relationship between SC AC and SC ambidexterity on SCE as a moderating factor.Originality/valueThis study presents theoretical and empirical insights that both SC risk mitigation and SCA are proper logistics features for mediating and moderating extends the literature by adding a positive role of SC AC and SC ambidextrousness in mitigating SC risks. However, this study adds up the SC literature by evidencing moderating role of SCA between the absorptive capacities, ambidexterity on SCE. Such findings of this study can provide insightful implications for managers and practitioners at different levels in and efficacy among MFs (MFs, stakeholders and policymakers regarding the importance of using the three mentioned enablers on SCE) in MFs, particularly in the Middle Eastern firms and in developing countries in general East region.