TITLE:
Using Predictive Analytics Tools to Improve Demand Planning and Supply Chain Operations
AUTHORS:
Marcus D. Brown, Kim A. Critchlow
KEYWORDS:
Predictive Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Demand Planning, Operational Performance, Data-Driven Forecasting, Technology Adoption, Sociotechnical Systems Theory, Technology-Organization-Environment Framework, Workforce Readiness, Continuous Improvement
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.14 No.5,
September
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Ineffective adoption of predictive analytics tools is associated with diminished demand planning accuracy and operational performance. Supply chain managers who fail to adopt predictive analytics effectively may experience poor forecasting, excess inventory, stockouts, operational delays, and increased costs. Grounded in sociotechnical systems theory and the technology-organization-environment framework, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry explored effective strategies that supply chain managers use to adopt predictive analytics tools to improve demand planning accuracy and operational performance. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight supply chain managers who had experience using predictive analytics tools in supply chain operations, supplemented by secondary data from publicly available sources. Thematic analysis revealed six themes: 1) predictive analytics adoption, 2) data-driven forecasting, 3) workforce readiness and training, 4) leadership and organizational alignment, 5) performance measurement, and 6) continuous improvement and quality management. The findings indicate that predictive analytics adoption is both a technical and organizational process that requires alignment among people, processes, data, technology, leadership, and performance expectations. A key recommendation is for supply chain managers to treat predictive analytics adoption as a long-term business transformation rather than a one-time technology implementation. The implications for positive social change include the potential to strengthen operational performance, support economic stability, sustain jobs, improve service reliability, and help organizations withstand disruptions affecting local and regional economies.