Purpose Supply chain digitalization (SCD) facilitates a competitive advantage and is equally challenging. A literature analysis reveals that research related to SCD is available, but analysis of key barriers and their interrelations for effective SCD is limited. This paper aims to identify and find out interrelationships among the key barriers affecting SCD in the electronic supply chain (SC). Design/methodology/approach Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to identify the contextual relationship among the SCD barriers. The model is validated using MICMAC analysis. Findings The findings of this study have implications at both theoretical and practical levels. The proposed ISM model can help organizations analyze and interpret interrelationships among barriers to SCD. It can lead to better insights and understanding for minimizing the dominant barriers to effective SCD. Originality/value This study tries to bridge the gap in identifying and finding the interrelationships among the key barriers to effective SCD in an electronic SC. The result assists practicing managers and academicians in effective decision-making on the SCD process.