What drives the adoption of Logistics 4.0 by Logistics Service Providers? An Innovation Diffusion Theory perspective

This paper aims to investigate the adoption of Logistics 4.0 by logistics service providers (LSP) in logistics distribution processes. Although the promise of Logistics 4.0 to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of logistics, LSP still struggle in integrating 4.0 concepts into their operations. Thus, the need emerged to support companies in the adoption and exploitation of Logistics 4.0. The adoption of Logistics 4.0 innovation goes beyond the acquisition of technology, as it is a complex process that starts with the identification and evaluation of organisation needs and available 4.0 solutions, goes on with the actual adoption of the 4.0 solutions through accessing and integrating them into the organisation’s processes, and ends when 4.0 is widely used as an integral part in a firm’s value chain activities. In this regard, understanding the factors affecting Logistics 4.0 adoption might be critical to improving its diffusion rate for LSP. So far, research has just started investigating the diffusion of Logistics 4.0 innovation among LSPs. To advance research in this area, the present paper develops a conceptual model based on the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) to investigate the factors affecting the successful adoption of Logistics 4.0 solutions, by building on established Logistics 4.0, Industry 4.0, and innovation diffusion literature. With our research, we contribute to a better theoretical understanding of Logistics 4.0 and innovation diffusion and provide insights to LSP from a practical perspective.