Accenture’s latest research reveals a significant link between supply chain maturity and company profitability. Companies with the most advanced supply chains, characterized by extensive use of AI and generative AI, are outperforming their peers in terms of profit margins and shareholder returns.
The study analyzed 1,148 companies across 15 countries and 10 industries, focusing on supply chain capabilities that leverage cutting-edge technologies for autonomous decision-making and continuous improvement. Key findings include:
1. “Leaders” in supply chain maturity achieved 23% higher margins and 15% better shareholder returns compared to their peers.
2. Only 9% of all companies use AI and generative AI widely in their supply chains, with 37% of leaders doing so compared to 6% of peers.
3. Leaders are more likely to see benefits such as faster product development, eco-friendly product creation, and improved engineering efficiency.
The research highlights a concerning gap in supply chain maturity across industries and countries. While the average maturity score has increased by 50% since 2019, it remains low at 36%. This disparity underscores the urgent need for companies to invest in next-generation supply chain capabilities to remain competitive in today’s volatile economic landscape.
As traditional supply chain strategies become less effective, companies must embrace advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, agility, sustainability, and resilience. Those failing to adapt risk falling behind or even failing to survive in the evolving industrial context. The research emphasizes the critical role of AI and generative AI in driving supply chain innovation and business value creation.
