Global Logistics in the Era of Industry 4.0

Abstract

This study aims at determining the impact and level of implementation of technology drivers such as automatic identification technology, communication technology, and information technology to Nigerian logistics firm. A structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary data from respondents. The research hypothesis was tested using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient to justify results of the survey. A total of 90 logistics companies were selected in Lagos Nigeria to represent the 50% of the population which is urbanized. The result from the Pearson correlation coefficient shows that there was a strong negative correlation between implementation of technologies and Nigeria logistics chain. The result also revealed that implementation levels of Barcode, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Geographical Positioning System (GPS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Distribution Requirement Planning (DRP) are very high whereas Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Voice Recognition Technology (VRT), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), Geographical Information System (GIS), Automated Guided Vehicle System (AGVS), and Automated Inventory Tracking System (AITS) are very low in Nigerian logistics firm. The main barriers to full implementation of the technology tools to Nigerian logistics firm are lack of awareness on IT tools, poor logistics standard, cost of implementation of IT infrastructure and government policies. From the findings of the survey, logistics firm in Nigeria should fully implement technology tools in their logistics operations.