Effect of Supply Chain Complexity on Knowledge Transfer in Catering Service in Batangas: Analyzing the Role of Sustainable Chain Collaborations and Technological Supply Chain Advancements

Abstract

This study examined the effect of supply chain complexity on knowledge transfer among licensed catering service enterprises in Batangas Province, while analyzing the roles of sustainable supply chain collaboration and technological supply chain advancements. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed. Using stratified random sampling, the study gathered one response from each of 113 catering enterprises selected from a population of 158 establishments. Owners, managers, and supervisors directly involved in supply chain planning and coordination served as respondents. A validated survey questionnaire with excellent internal consistency across the study constructs (Cronbach's alpha = .941-.991) was administered, and the data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, regression analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and Structural Equation Modeling. Results showed that effective knowledge transfer was rated very effective (M = 6.22). The respondents also experienced very high levels of process complexity (M = 6.29), consumer complexity (M = 6.16), decision-making complexity (M = 6.15), and product complexity (M = 6.13). Sustainable supply chain collaboration was practiced to a very great extent (M = 6.14), while technological advancements were also implemented to a very great extent (M = 5.81). Process complexity significantly predicted effective knowledge transfer (B = 0.6964, p < .001), whereas the other complexity dimensions were not significant predictors. The selected moderated context-complexity model demonstrated excellent fit, with supply chain complexity positively influencing effective knowledge transfer (beta = 0.4004, p = .007) and technological advancement negatively moderating this relationship (beta = -0.3268, p = .003). The findings indicate that catering enterprises maintain effective coordination under pressure, but their dependence on informal and fragmented systems may limit scalability and resilience. A phased operational improvement plan is proposed to formalize knowledge transfer, strengthen supplier collaboration, and align accessible digital tools with operational needs.