1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

The rapid pace of both emerging technologies and technologies that enable the digital supply chain present challenges in assessing their relevance, feasibility, and impact on the supply chain. Businesses, policymakers, and industry stakeholders lack a standardized framework to systematically evaluate and differentiate Critical Emerging Technologies (CETs). As supply chains become increasingly complex and data-driven, the absence of an automated, ontology-based classification tool limits the ability to efficiently analyze and contextualize emerging technologies in relation to specific use cases, hindering strategic decision-making. Without a structured classification, decision-makers face difficulties in aligning technology adoption with industry needs, regulatory requirements, and long-term supply chain strategies. This classification will provide a systematic framework to identify, categorize, and evaluate CETs based on defined characteristics such as functionality, maturity, adoption potential, and regulatory considerations. By using a structured rubric, the classification will support: Comparative Differentiation: Enabling stakeholders to assess technologies based on objective criteria. Industry and Regulatory Alignment: Assisting organizations in aligning technology adoption with evolving industry standards and compliance requirements. Decision-Making Support: Providing a data-driven approach to guide risk assessment and strategic planning in supply chain innovation. The classification will serve as a foundational tool for organizations looking to assess and integrate emerging technologies, ensuring the adoption of solutions that provide measurable benefits and long-term viability. The primary users of this classification are stakeholders involved in or affected by the identification, categorization, and evaluation of Critical Emerging Technologies (CETs) within the supply chain ecosystem. These users include: Buyers, Sellers, Consignees, and Consignors – Primary actors in the exchange of goods who rely on emerging technologies to improve transaction visibility, compliance, and operational efficiency across the digital supply chain. Supply Chain Professionals, such as procurement officers, logistics managers, and operations leaders responsible for selecting and implementing emerging technologies. Technology Providers and Developers, who require standardized criteria to assess and demonstrate the relevance, readiness, and impact of their innovations. Regulatory Agencies and Policymakers, who oversee the alignment of technology adoption with compliance, safety, and public policy objectives. Industry Associations and Standards Bodies, which support consistency, interoperability, and best practices in supply chain operations. Analysts and Strategists, who evaluate market trends and supply chain innovation strategies. Stakeholder roles and classifications referenced here are aligned with the definitions provided in WK88967 – Stakeholders Terminology, which offers a common framework for identifying and understanding stakeholders from across supply chain and goods movement process activities.