Application areas and antecedents of automation in logistics and supply chain management: a conceptual framework

One of the main challenges for modern logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) is the automation of processes along the supply chain. Although research on different automation applications in LSCM exists, LSCM managers lack an overall picture of possible application areas as well as the antecedents influencing the successful implementation of applications. The study applied data triangulation through a systematic literature review of 265 articles and a Nominal Group Technique exercise among 18 LSCM professionals in order to extract automation application areas as well as antecedents of successful automation projects. Through a structured synthesis process building on the Q-methodology a conceptual framework of application areas and antecedents of automation in LSCM is proposed. The framework synthesises ten application areas of automation in LSCM and ten antecedents that influence the efficient implementation and use of automation applications. The study proposes that the impact of technological and informational antecedents is moderated by organisational as well as knowledge-related antecedents, and advances propositions outlining the impact of antecedents on the successful implementation and use of automation applications. The study provides a coherent conceptualisation of automation in LSCM which provides a common basis on which to merge further discussions on automation between research and practice.