Title: Anticipating the logistics companies' preference on technology adoption: AHP approach

Authors: Wan Fei Lai; Miang Hong Ngerng; Min Yoong Ho

Addresses: Department of Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, (Taman Connaught), Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, (Taman Connaught), Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Actuarial Science and Applied Statistics, UCSI University, No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights, (Taman Connaught), Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: Adopting the operations research tools is always an important decision making for the management due to the amount of investment can be significant from a firm prospective. The objective of this paper is to investigate the factors driving or deterring the logistic companies in Malaysia on adopting operation research tools in their management processes. Instead of examining the cognitive and perceived usefulness that lead to attitude changes process approach, we focus directly on managers' consideration on the relative importance among a set of factors that may affect their decision on adoption. Our findings indicate that operational cost may not be the main concern in the decision, rather company image and personnel competency are the keys. Companies' structure and workflow overhaul might be the main deterrents of the decision to adopt the OR tools in management system. These findings could help us in taking appropriate actions to facilitate the OR adoption.

Keywords: analytical hierarchy process; AHP; operations research; logistics companies; technology adoption; managerial preferences; Malaysia; operational costs; corporate image; personnel competency; organisational structure; workflow; operational research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2016.075748

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2016 Vol.10 No.2/3/4, pp.346 - 363

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 15 Oct 2015
Published online: 01 Apr 2016 *

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