Analyzing how COVID-19 moderates the relationship between organizational learning capabilities, technological innovation, supply chain management and enterprise performance in the automobile industry

PurposeThis study explored how COVID-19 moderated the relationship between organizational learning capabilities (OLCs), technological innovation (TI), supply chain management (SMC) processes and enterprise performance (EP). It aimed to give ideas on how organizations could change and do well during big disruptions.Design/methodology/approachDesign: A structured questionnaire served as the data collection tool, employing a stratified sampling technique. Partial least squares (PLS) was utilized for data processing. Information was gathered from the automobile industry in Xian, China, providing an in-depth understanding of how COVID-19 moderated the variables under examination.FindingsThe study discovered that COVID-19 changed how organizational learning, TI, SCM and EP interacted. Some organizations had trouble keeping up with learning and innovation, but others used them to make their SCM stronger, leading to better performance. Also, different effects of COVID-19 were seen in various industries and organizations.Practical implicationsThis study provided practical implications for managers, policymakers and practitioners. It emphasized fostering OLCs and TI as crucial for resilience during disruptions like COVID-19. Strategic investments in SCM were highlighted to mitigate disruptions and seize opportunities. Additionally, context-specific approaches were underscored for navigating pandemic-induced challenges.Originality/valueThis study enhanced existing literature by analyzing how COVID-19 moderated the link between organizational learning, TI, SCM and EP. Through diverse methodologies and organizational contexts, it offered fresh insights into dynamic organizational responses to disruptions, advancing both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in the field.