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Warehouse Automation Strategies and Supply Chain Performance of Oil Servicing Firms in Port Harcourt

Usele, Egwolo Benjamin, Poi, Elizabeth Ledisi, Tonye Felix Barasin

Abstract

As technological advancements reshape business operations around the world, warehouse automation strategies have redefined supply chain performance. The study examined the relationship between warehouse automation strategies and the supply chain performance of oil servicing firms in Port Harcourt. The inability of firms in developing economies to modernize their warehouse activities threatens the sustainability and overall performance. Addressing this gap, the study adopted the resource-based view (RBV) and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory to extrapolate how warehouse automation strategies relate to the supply chain performance of oil servicing firms in Port Harcourt. And how technology moderates the relationship. Empirical data were gathered through copies of the questionnaire distributed among warehouse managers, production managers, operations managers, and logistics managers of the firms under review. And the results revealed that all dimensions of warehouse automation strategies relate positively with measures of supply chain performance; however, technology does not moderate the relationship between warehouse automation strategies and supply chain performance of oil servicing firms in Port Harcourt. Hence, the study concludes that the adoption of warehouse automation strategies improves the supply chain performance of oil servicing firms in Port Harcourt. Therefore, the study recommends that oil servicing firms in Port Harcourt should invest in modern automation technologies to ensure adequate inventory tracking, automated storage and retrieval systems to improve supply chain visibility, and responsiveness.

References

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