Modeling the internet of things adoption barriers in food retail supply chains

Internet of things (IoT) is estimated to play a significant role in offering tangible and commercial benefits to the supply chains making the operational processes more efficient and productive. IoT system provides the decision-makers with new insights on the value proposition, value creation, helping them to strengthen their bond with the customers and adopt a more effective policy and practices. The food retailing scenario is becoming more complex and flexible putting pressure on the retailing firms to re-design their marketing strategies incorporating the changing consumer behavior. The IoT is expected to help the retailers in controlling the quality of food products, plan waste management of the items that have exceeded their shelf life, manage the temperature at the store, freezers and other equipment's contributing to the reduction of energy consumption. Despite the vast potential of IoT in food retail supply chains, the adoption of IoT is still in its nascent stage. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the various barriers that affect the adoption of IoT in the retail supply chain in the Indian context and also investigates the inter-dependences between the factors using a two-stage integrated ISM and DEMATEL methodology. Lack of government regulations and poor internet infrastructure were identified to be the significant drivers for IoT adoption.