Adoption of internet of things (IoT) in the agriculture industry deploying the BRT framework

Achieving organizational performance by integrating industrial Internet of things in the SMEs: a developing country perspective

Purpose

This research investigates the adoption of the industrial Internet of things (IIoT) in SMEs to achieve and increase organizational performance. With the latest technology, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can create a competitive edge in the market and better serve customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve hypotheses are proposed for this study. This study constructed a questionnaire based on technological, organizational, environmental and human perspectives. A survey is conducted on the SMEs of India using the questionnaire.

Findings

Eight hypotheses were accepted, and four hypotheses were not supported. The hypotheses rejected are infrastructure, organizational readiness, internal excellence and prior experience. The findings suggested that adopting IIoT in SMEs will increase organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study will be helpful for the manager, top management and policymakers. This study identified the areas SMEs need to work on to adopt the technologies.

Originality/value

In the literature, no article considered IIoT adoption in SME firms as a human factor. Therefore, this study is unique, including human, technological, organizational and environmental factors.

Examining behavioural intention of using smart health care technology among females: dynamics of social influence and perceived usefulness

Purpose

The aim of this study is to comprehend the behavioural intention of females' perception toward smart healthcare technology. The study also examines the moderation effect of social influences between perceived smart healthcare technology and perceived usefulness among female users.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the model, this study collected data from female respondents (n = 913) responses. The data were analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) using Smart-PLS 3.2. To complement the findings from structural equation modeling, the study also conducted a post-hoc test via experimental research design. The authors also applied a t-test and PROCESS macro analysis to re-confirm the relationship mentioned above.

Findings

The findings revealed that perceived ease of use significantly mediates the relationship between females' perceived smart healthcare technology and intention to use. The findings also show that social influence moderates between smart healthcare technology and the perceived usefulness relationship.

Research limitations/implications

Social influence is one of the major issues while adopting smart healthcare technology because the respondents perceived that they are accustomed to the technologies related to smart health once their surroundings and social environment influence them.

Originality/value

The current study is a pioneer in the context of a developing country and unique in that it makes two contributions: it extends previous research on smart health technology adoption in the healthcare business by considering females, and it gives a broad knowledge of the female healthcare consumers from emerging nations which can be useful for developing technology-driven healthcare services strategies.

Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) based employee experience (EEX) chatbots

Purpose

AI-based chatbots are revamping employee communication in organizations. This paper examines the adoption of AI-based employee experience chatbots by employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model is developed using behavioral reasoning theory and empirically validated by surveying 1,130 employees and data was analyzed with PLS-SEM.

Findings

This research presents the “reasons for” and “reasons against” for the acceptance of AI-based employee experience chatbots. The “reasons for” are – personalization, interactivity, perceived intelligence and perceived anthropomorphism and the “reasons against” are perceived risk, language barrier and technological anxiety. It is found that “reasons for” have a positive association with attitude and adoption intention and “reasons against” have a negative association. Employees' values for openness to change are positively associated with “reasons for” and do not affect attitude and “reasons against”.

Originality/value

This is the first study exploring employees' attitude and adoption intention toward AI-based EEX chatbots using behavioral reasoning theory.

The Antecedents of Willingness to Adopt and Pay for the IoT in the Agricultural Industry: An Application of the UTAUT 2 Theory

This paper aims to examine the factors influencing the willingness of Bangladeshi farmers to adopt and pay for the Internet of Things (IoT) in the agricultural sector by applying the theoretical framework of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2). To this end, the study employed a quantitative research methodology and obtained data from 345 farmers from the northern districts of Bangladesh. Using a cross-sectional survey design and convenience sampling method, a study of premium fruit growers was undertaken to assess IoT use in agriculture, and the primary survey data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach via AMOS 26. The study confirmed that effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating condition, hedonic motivation, government support, price value, personal innovativeness, and trust influence the willingness of Bangladeshi farmers to adopt the IoT. Additionally, predictors such as trust and willingness to adopt were observed to influence the willingness to pay for the IoT, while the construct ‘performance expectancy’ produced no effect. The study also revealed that the willingness to adopt moderates the association between performance expectancy, price value, and willingness to pay for the IoT. This research has novel implications because it investigates the behavior of rural customers with respect to innovation adoption, which in this case is the IoT in agriculture. It outlines precise reasons for the willing adoption of the IoT in agriculture, which will, in turn, assist marketers of IoT technology in the design of appropriate marketing strategies to increase acceptance in rural areas. Using the proposed model that incorporates farmers’ willingness to pay, this empirical study takes the first step in examining whether farmers in a developing economy such as Bangladesh will adopt and pay for the IoT.

Enhancing Value Co-Creation Through the Lens of DART Model, Innovation, and Digital Technology: An Integrative Supply Chain Resilient Model

The global supply chain process has been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, firms search for factors that influence supply chain resilience and improve firm operational performance. The current research develops an integrated resilient supply chain model that combines factors underpinned DART model, innovation, digital technology, and value co-creation to investigate supply chain resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research framework was empirically tested with a data set of 329 responses from employees working in logistics firms. the study find that supply chain resilience is determined by value co-creation, the DART model, innovation, and digital technology. The factors underpinning the DART model, including dialogue, access, risk assessment, and transparency, have positively impacted value co-creation. The structural model shows that dialogue has a positive impact on developing value co-creation between manufacturing firms and stakeholders, Empirical investigation revealed that value co-creation in supply chain operations is estimated by dialogue, access, risk assessment, transparency, innovation, and digital technology and revealed substantial variance R^2 71.9% in measuring value co-creation. This research is significant as it develops a resilient supply chain model with the combination of the DART model, innovation, digital technology, and value co-creation and investigates supply chain resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although current research contributes to theory, practice, and method, disclosing research limitations opens numerous avenues for future researchers. This study does not claim to include all factors that impact the value co-creation process in supply chain operations. For instance, other factors, such as IT infrastructure, commitment, and integrative quality, may positively influence value co-creation. Second, supply chain resilience is determined by value co-creation and network capability. Therefore, the research encourages academicians and policymakers to investigate the supply chain resilience phenomenon with other market-oriented facts. future researchers are suggested to investigate the current research model in longitudinal method

Is health consciousness and perceived privacy protection critical to use wearable health devices? Extending the model of goal-directed behavior

Purpose

The present study is an attempt to extend the Model of Goal-directed Behavior (MGB) to consider health consciousness and perceived privacy protection as two critical factors to predict desire and intention by individuals to adopt and use wearable health devices (WHDs).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review hypotheses were framed and tested using data collected through a questionnaire survey. A total of 418 self-reported complete responses were considered to analyze the hypotheses proposed in the study. Structural equation modeling, effects analysis and model comparison (MGB and extended MGB) were performed to understand the predictability of the suggested model.

Findings

The results of the study corroborate that along with MGB, health consciousness and perceived privacy protection also induces the intention of users toward using WHDs. Health-consciousness is found to have a positive and significant direct and indirect impact on intention to use WHDs. Further, the model comparison exhibits that the proposed extended MGB is a better predictor of intention to use WHDs.

Practical implications

Apart from the conventional framework of MGB, health consciousness and perceived privacy protection promote desire and intention to use WHDs. This research provides a framework for marketers to promote health consciousness among consumers by motivating them to adopt WHDs. Further, privacy protection features should be showcased in order to induce trust in consumers which in turn will trigger their intention to use WHDs to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Originality/value

The current study incorporates health consciousness and perceived privacy protection in MGB to fit into the context of healthcare intention study, which enhances the predictability of intention behavior of consumers and adds to the existing body of MGB and healthcare literature.

Factors fostering the success of IoT services in academic libraries: a study built to enhance the library performance

Purpose

In the modern era, libraries confront significant service challenges. Some challenges are linked to information resource management which includes direct availability of information for immediate decision making. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent technological shift that library personnel should be aware of because it has the potential to enhance information resource management. The purpose of the research is to highlight the willingness to adopt IoT technology in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative research design in which a survey of public sector universities in Nanjing, China, is conducted to investigate the determinants of IoT adoption intention in libraries. A total of 389 responses were captured from experienced library personnel. The literature on technology adoption is then used to formulate quantitative theories. For data analysis, partial least squares structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.

Findings

The research highlights the various success factors which support the IoT service adoption process. It is concluded that IoT augmented services in academic libraries must be supported through robust management practices and effective utilization of technological resources. Many libraries have made substantial modifications to their structure in terms of technology and design to satisfy the demands of patrons.

Originality/value

This is an empirical paper that looks at IoT adoption intention in libraries using a quantitative approach through surveying library personnel. The library personnel can aid in the understanding of the motivations behind technology adoption in libraries, particularly of IoT services that may bring about advances in the libraries' capability to provide information access services.

The interplay between the Internet of things and supply chain management: challenges and opportunities based on a systematic literature review

Purpose

This study aims to identify and analyze how Internet of things (IoT) technology affects supply chain management (SCM) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted (using Scopus, JSTOR, Emerald, ProQuest, Science Direct and Web of Science) covering a 20-year timeframe (2000–2020). Out of 2,572 papers identified, 171 peer-reviewed papers from the most important journals were selected. Content analysis was used following the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) SCM framework.

Findings

Regarding the GSCF SCM framework processes, most IoT-based studies have addressed improving order fulfilment, manufacturing flow management and demand management processes. However, no studies addressing the Supplier relationship management process were identified, suggesting that IoT-based applications are perceived to add more value in downstream than upstream SCM processes. The importance of using enabling technologies to realize the potential of value generation of IoT was also revealed. Findings suggest new research avenues related to product development and commercialization process, the supplier relationship management process, the returns management process, servitization strategies, new SCM models and new business models.

Research limitations/implications

The review encompasses only academic papers from journals considered the most relevant (retrieved from specific databases), using the impact factor as the quality criterion.

Practical implications

The findings can help business managers better understand the potential of IoT technology, such as the main applications identified in the literature and their impacts on SCM processes. Their importance in enabling technologies to leverage SCM performance is identified and the emerging SCM models/business models that IoT deployment can enable are highlighted.

Originality/value

This study contributes to filling a gap in the literature using a systematic literature review of how IoT technology affects SCM performance through content analysis, using an SCM framework to clarify which SCM processes are affected. Academic articles from the most important journals from 2000 to 2020 are identified.

IoT Technologies for Livestock Management: A Review of Present Status, Opportunities, and Future Trends

The world population currently stands at about 7 billion amidst an expected increase in 2030 from 9.4 billion to around 10 billion in 2050. This burgeoning population has continued to influence the upward demand for animal food. Moreover, the management of finite resources such as land, the need to reduce livestock contribution to greenhouse gases, and the need to manage inherent complex, highly contextual, and repetitive day-to-day livestock management (LsM) routines are some examples of challenges to overcome in livestock production. The Internet of Things (IoT)’s usefulness in other vertical industries (OVI) shows that its role will be significant in LsM. This work uses the systematic review methodology of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to guide a review of existing literature on IoT in OVI. The goal is to identify the IoT’s ecosystem, architecture, and its technicalities—present status, opportunities, and expected future trends—regarding its role in LsM. Among identified IoT roles in LsM, the authors found that data will be its main contributor. The traditional approach of reactive data processing will give way to the proactive approach of augmented analytics to provide insights about animal processes. This will undoubtedly free LsM from the drudgery of repetitive tasks with opportunities for improved productivity.

The internet of things in the food supply chain: adoption challenges

Purpose

The food supply chain (FSC) challenges coupled with global disruptions, such as the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, exacerbate its vulnerability. The Internet of things (IoT) is one of the disruptive technologies being adopted in food supply chain management (FSCM). This study aims to address the challenges of IoT adoption in the FSC by systematically analyzing the prior pertinent literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review was used to collate a list of peer-reviewed and relevant publications. A total of 72 out of 210 articles were selected for the final evaluation.

Findings

The literature review findings suggest five themes: technical, financial, social, operational, educational and governmental related challenges. A total of 15 challenges were devised from the review related literature of IoT adoption. The study concludes with future research recommendations for scholars and practical implications for practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

While this study focuses on the overall FSC, further research should address other domains in the FSC such as cold supply chain, agriculture and perishable food to gain a better contextual understanding of the specific case.

Originality/value

The topic of IoT adoption in the FSCM is still considered emerging. Therefore, the present work contributes to the limited studies and documentation on the level of IoT implementation in the FSCM. This study should help organizations to assimilate how to adopt and manage the IoT application by addressing the factors and challenges presented in this research.