Empowering Supply Chain Decisions with Power BI: Dynamic Capabilities Approach to Inventory and Procurement Optimization

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically encounter issues in their supply chain operations because of fragmented data systems, reliance on manual spreadsheet-based processes, lack of operational visibility and delays in decision making. The purpose of this study is to explore how Microsoft Power BI dashboards can contribute to the improvement of tactical supply chain decision-making for SMEs. Using a case study approach, this study investigated the role of Power BI dashboards at Bubbles O2 Marketing Sdn. Bhd. An action research approach was used to develop a Power BI dashboard which combined inventory, procurement and sales data. questionnaires were completed by 23 employees involved in the supply chain operations and were analyzed statistically using Descriptive Statistics, One Sample T-Test and Regression Analysis. The results show that the implementation of Power BI Dashboards has shown a significant improvement in operational visibility, allows for real time monitoring, and aids in the development of data driven decisions. Additionally, the results demonstrate that the Power BI dashboard has increased the organization's dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring capabilities. These provide positive effects to the decision-making process. Overall, the study demonstrated that Power BI dashboards are practical and cost-effective digital solutions for SMEs to improve supply chain coordination, speed up decision-making, increase operational efficiency, and provide a contribution to the theoretical body of knowledge regarding how analytical tools aid organizations in developing their capabilities and improving performance.