The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Applied in Preparation for the Workforce to Embrace Technological Change in a Logistics Company

The purpose of the study was to investigate how a logistics company prepared for the transition from a manual to a systems-guided process leveraging the implementation of digital technology at the study site in Durban, South Africa, to efficiently controlling the short shelf-life of products in the logistics environment. The legacy manual and labour-intensive process required the warehouse personnel to physically check each storage location, each pallet of product for their expiry date which had to be manually documented. This was time-consuming, and prone to human error. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was utilised in conducting this study and the qualitative research approach was applied due to the exploratory nature of the research. Interviews and focus groups were conducted, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study findings contribute to broadening the understanding of the emerging development opportunities to enhance the capabilities of the logistics workforce. Based on the findings of the study, a change management model was proposed, one which is adapted to the South African context and is applicable to transitioning from a manual to a system-guided process within the logistics environment. Future research should include reverse logistics, real-time visibility of Proof of delivery (POD), and future digitalisation through the perspective of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR).