Factors affecting adoption of IoT technology in the supply chain: A case of a clothing retailer in the Western Cape

Abstract

The retail industry in South Africa (SA) is very competitive and the Western Cape is no exception. In such a competitive retail environment, innovation is often key to a competitive advantage and growth in the business. To that end, the organisation may consider to leverage Internet of Things, or IoT technology to provide a competitive edge. A recurring problem that organisations experience when considering this type of technology adoption, is lack of understanding, and poor appreciation of the ways that IoT technology may be used in Supply Chain Management (SCM). Management’s lack of understanding of the factors that affect technology adoption (on the supply chain processes) may furthermore result in failure to harness the technology for a competitive advantage.