How the metaverse enhances e-commerce supply chain resilience: An actor-network theory perspective

The paper focuses on the metaverse (MVS) in e-commerce supply chains and empirically reveals the specific mechanisms through which MVS enhances e-commerce supply chain resilience (ESCR). Drawing on the literature, this paper identifies two core MVS functions, virtual–physical interaction (VPI) and avatar-based consumer service (ACS), as key mediators. Grounded in actor-network theory (ANT), this paper constructs a research model with two hypothesized pathways: “MVS → VPI → ESCR” and “MVS → ACS → ESCR”. The model then examines the direct and indirect effects of these two pathways. Based on 380 valid responses from employees in China’s e-commerce industry, this paper conducted empirical tests with structural equation modeling. The results reveal that VPI exhibits a significant mediating effect in the process of MVS influencing ESCR ( p < 0 . 001 ), and ACS also plays a positive mediating role ( p < 0 . 001 ). Theoretically, this paper illustrates the formation of ESCR and explains how MVS enhances ESCR from an ANT perspective. The synergy between ANT and MVS offers a deeper understanding of MVS in supply chains. Managerially, when developing metaverse-enabled supply chain platforms, e-commerce enterprises should highlight the integration of consumers’ participation and multi-node collaboration. Based on the two aspects, e-commerce enterprises could significantly enhance ESCR to withstand disruptions. Overall, this study addresses the research gap between MVS and ESCR and offers a theoretical foundation for future research.