Virtual reality as a socio-technical innovation to enhance supply chain management pedagogy

Purpose – We study the potential opportunities and challenges of virtual reality (VR) as a new socio-technological innovation to enhance teaching and improve student learning outcomes in supply chain management (SCM). Design/methodology/approach – We employ a systematic literature review and a case study of a large VR implementation at universities in the United States. This includes primary data collection complemented by in-depth interviews of end users who use VR technologies for SCM pedagogy. We synthesize and ground these data in the experiential learning cycle model to develop a model for implementing VR pedagogy for SCM. Findings – We provide six research propositions grounded in the experiential learning cycle model that together form a roadmap for the implementation of VR-assisted SCM pedagogy. SCM scholars can follow our guidance to develop a program of research utilizing this roadmap that will provide prescriptions for implementing VR to enhance SCM pedagogy. Research limitations/implications – SCM scholars can pursue a research program to investigate effective VR-assisted SCM pedagogy using our research roadmap. We are limited by the availability of use case examples, literature and data on adoption and implementation. Originality/value – The development and adoption of VR use for SCM pedagogy is in the early stages, making this work one of the first investigations into the use of VR-assisted SCM pedagogy. The first-of-its-kind research roadmap to develop VR-assisted pedagogy will motivate considerable SCM pedagogical research in the burgeoning area of VR.