THE IMPACT OF IoT ADOPTION ON LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF REAL-TIME VISIBILITY IN PAKISTANI SMEs

Abstract

This study examines the impact of IoT adoption (ITA) on Logistics Performance (LP) with the mediating role of Real Time Visibility (RTV) in Logistics SMEs in Pakistan, which suffer from inefficiencies, high costs, and poor visibility in their operations. With the growing opportunities created by IoT, many businesses are considering IoT technologies as solutions to these issues. The study adopted a quantitative technique, and primary data were collected from 290 employees of Logistics SMEs from Pakistan using structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that ITA has a positive and significant effect on LP both directly and through RTV. The mediation analysis indicated that RTV positively mediates the relationship between ITA and LP. These findings are consistent with the Resource-Based View (RBV) perspective, which asserts that IoT is a technology resource that can contribute significant strategic value to improving the LP of a business. Therefore, this study contributes to the existing literature regarding ITA in logistics, provides practical implications for logistics SMEs, technology providers, and policymakers, and creates a framework upon which future research can build regarding technology and the improvement of operational outcomes in logistics.