Prioritising enabling factors of Internet of things (IoT) adoption in digital supply chain
International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management
ISSN: 1741-0401
Article publication date: 30 August 2022
Issue publication date: 29 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the role of Internet of things (IoT) enabling factors in adopting digital supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to rank performance measures and prioritise the enabling factors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to validate and support key research findings from the AHP analysis.
Findings
The results show that level of customer demand is the most important indicator in adopting IoT while the level of product/process flexibility is the least important. System integration and IoT infrastructure are the top two enabling factors in increasing the level of process stability, supply chain connectivity, and product/process flexibility, respectively. Furthermore, the study suggests that the enabling factors for IoT adoption are directly connected with organisational resources/technological capabilities that support the resource-based view theory. This research identified interdependencies between IoT enabling factors and key performance measures for IoT adoption success in managing the digital supply chain.
Practical implications
Supply chain managers can use the empirical findings of this study to prioritise IoT adoption, based on the relative importance of enabling factors and performance measures. The research findings are focused on broader supply chain practices of large companies rather than a specific industry and SMEs. Hence, any industry-specific adoption factors and SMEs were not evident from this study.
Originality/value
This research study empirically established priorities of enabling factors for IoT adoption, along with inter-dependencies among enabling factors as a basis for developing guidelines for IoT adoption.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all industry experts and executives from several organisations for sharing their insights and experiences. Thanks to Mr. Kanjanapath Tungsithishok and Miss Thippayapron Titikittinan for conducting the preliminary analysis. The authors would also like to thank the Thammasat School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University for the research funding.
Citation
Samaranayake, P., Laosirihongthong, T., Adebanjo, D. and Boon-itt, S. (2023), "Prioritising enabling factors of Internet of things (IoT) adoption in digital supply chain", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 72 No. 10, pp. 3095-3118. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2021-0698
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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