Do technology access modes impact integration success of logistics service providers? - The process and moderators of technology assimilation
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2018-06
Author(s)
Hofmann, Erik
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines different access modes for new to market technologies and their implications for technology integration from the perspective of logistics service providers (LSPs), revealing managerial and practical implications for the process of technology assimilation.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on innovation diffusion theory and absorptive capacity, explorative case study research is conducted for ten technology projects of seven different LSPs from the German-speaking area. Furthermore, the paper provides a structured literature review on the state-of-the-art in technology assimilation by LSPs.
Findings
Findings illustrate that technology access modes prejudge the process success of integration in terms of technology acceptance as well as quality, speed and costs of integration. This relationship is moderated by technology-, firm-, market- and supply chain-related factors.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited by its qualitative research approach, addressing only seven different LSPs. Furthermore, the scope of investigated technologies is wide, but not exhaustive.
Practical implications (if applicable)
For practitioners, research reveals that the way LSPs access technologies is highly related to a successful integration process. Therefore, the paper provides practical support for improving technology assimilation.
Original/value
As the link between technology access strategies of LSPs and the process success of integration has been largely neglected so far, the paper is the first contribution addressing this research gap. In this context, absorptive capacity is discussed for the application on learning processes in supply chain management research.
Keywords: Technology assimilation, New to market technologies, Technology access modes, Logistics service providers, Technology integration, Case study research, Innovation diffusion theory, Absorptive capacity
This paper examines different access modes for new to market technologies and their implications for technology integration from the perspective of logistics service providers (LSPs), revealing managerial and practical implications for the process of technology assimilation.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on innovation diffusion theory and absorptive capacity, explorative case study research is conducted for ten technology projects of seven different LSPs from the German-speaking area. Furthermore, the paper provides a structured literature review on the state-of-the-art in technology assimilation by LSPs.
Findings
Findings illustrate that technology access modes prejudge the process success of integration in terms of technology acceptance as well as quality, speed and costs of integration. This relationship is moderated by technology-, firm-, market- and supply chain-related factors.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is limited by its qualitative research approach, addressing only seven different LSPs. Furthermore, the scope of investigated technologies is wide, but not exhaustive.
Practical implications (if applicable)
For practitioners, research reveals that the way LSPs access technologies is highly related to a successful integration process. Therefore, the paper provides practical support for improving technology assimilation.
Original/value
As the link between technology access strategies of LSPs and the process success of integration has been largely neglected so far, the paper is the first contribution addressing this research gap. In this context, absorptive capacity is discussed for the application on learning processes in supply chain management research.
Keywords: Technology assimilation, New to market technologies, Technology access modes, Logistics service providers, Technology integration, Case study research, Innovation diffusion theory, Absorptive capacity
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SoM - Business Innovation
Book title
Proceedings of the 30th annual nordic logistics research network conference
Publisher
NOFOMA
Publisher place
Kolding
Start page
801
End page
816
Pages
16
Event Title
NOFOMA 2018: The 30st annual conference of The Nordic Logistics Research Network (NOFOMA)
Event Location
Kolding, Denmark
Event Date
June 13-15, 2018
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
254523