Exploring the role of blockchain technology, warehouse automation, smart routing, and cloud computing in logistics performance

Abstract

Recently, there has been a heightened emphasis on employing smart technologies for evaluating logistics performance, and hence we have considered four key technologies, namely blockchain technology (BT), warehouse automation (WA), smart routing (SR), and cloud computing (CC), and measured their aggregate impacts on logistics performance. We have considered these four technologies as exogenous constructs, and the logistics performance factors as endogenous constructs. First, we generate 23 items or indicators under those technologies and measure their loadings to determine how strongly they are linked to each technology. Next, we determine how strongly technologies are linked to logistics performance factors. Finally, we test our theoretical model using partial least squares structured equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Our findings confirm that the constructs and indicators in our theoretical framework meet the criteria, supported by PLS-SEM results and fit indices. This study advances logistics theory by highlighting smart technology adoption in practice and supporting institutional theory.

Keywords

• Blockchain technology
• warehouse automation
• smart routing
• cloud computing
• logistics performance