Niamh Harkin
Niamh is a Ph.D. candidate at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, within the Operations and Supply Chain Research (OSCAR) Program. Her research is dedicated to examining the influence of sustainability beliefs on digital innovation adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Niamh holds a B.Comm from the University of Galway and a Master's in Professional Leadership from ATU, Sligo. Her academic journey is complemented by an extensive background spanning nearly two decades, encompassing diverse roles in the private and public sectors. With expertise in supply chain, finance, community development, and project management, Niamh integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into her research.
The research study aims to explore the connections between sustainability beliefs, digital innovation, and sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP) in Irish SMEs. As businesses face escalating demands from both market forces and environmental regulations, there is a need to integrate sustainability considerations into organisational decision-making processes. The adoption of digital innovation emerges as a pivotal strategy for companies to navigate these dual requirements, fostering adaptability while concurrently driving enhancements throughout the entire supply chain.
The study embraces the three pillars of social, environmental, and economic sustainability, acknowledging that sustainable organisational practices can offer competitive advantages for firms. Additionally, the research recognises the transformative impact of digital technologies on supply chain innovation, enhancing operations and value creation for businesses. While the economic and environmental roles of SMEs in global supply chain activity is well established, it is evident from research that SMEs lag in both sustainability practices and digital innovation. Furthermore, despite the increasing relevance of sustainability and digital innovation the intersection of these two domains remains relatively unexplored.
This research seeks to address this gap through a qualitative research approach by examining the role of sustainability beliefs on intentional and planned digital innovation adoption behaviours. Enhanced knowledge and understanding in this domain have the potential to enrich academic theory and offer practical implications for businesses operating in this sector.