Digital transformation SCM in view of Covid-19 from Thailand SMEs perspective

ABSTRACT

Digital transformation involves the use of digital technologies to reorganize the operational processes and make them more effective and efficient. The article covers the problem of digital transformation of supply chain management (SCM) due to the changing business environment, and the desire to meet the customers' demand. The authors prove that the supply chain management processes are altered, such as reduction of product design and a manufacturing period, faster delivery of products to customers, easily meeting the preferences and demands of customers and faster and effective decision-making supported by big data and analytical decision techniques. In Thailand, digital transformation has been considered critical, particularly with the SMEs, which account for a significant proportion of the country's GDP. Some of the techniques that should be involved in the digitalization process include adoption of a learning culture, roadmap to development, creation of awareness, collaboration and support. In the wake of COVID-19, digital transformation has proved more essential through e-commerce and online transactions. Within this COVID-19 pandemic period and in future, the software and applications that could be used by SMEs in their process of digitalization include 3D-printers, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Aided Design (CAD), Product Lifecycle Management (PLC), Customer Relationship Management programs, Virtual Assistance, Artificial Intelligence, Total Quality Management (TQM), Just in Time (JIT), Just in Time (JIT), Lean Manufacturing (LM) among others. Some of the initiatives that could be implemented by the government include developing legal and regulatory framework of SMEs, supporting digitalization of SCM. © 2021 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.