IMPACT OF LATEST TRENDS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SMALL-SCALE PRODUCT INDUSTRY SUPPLY CHAIN AND REVERSE LOGISTICS

Abstract

Aim & Objectives: The study focuses on the influence of latest trends of information technology on supply chain management and reverse logistics in small scale product industries. The purpose was to look at the use of modern information technologies, to analyse their effect on the efficiency of the supply chain, to analyse their effect on the performance of reverse logistics, to look at the problems of implementing information technologies and to look at the relationship between the use of information technologies and overall supply chain performance.

Methodology: Quantitative research design descriptive survey approach was used. Primary data were gathered from a total of 200 respondents from small-scale product industries on a structured questionnaire. Using SPSS software, we conducted analyses of reliability, factors, descriptive statistics, one-sample t-test, correlation, and regression on the acquired data.

Results: The findings indicated that the respondents had high level of information technology adoption. It was found that the utilisation of IT significantly improved the efficiency of the supply chain and the performance of reverse logistics. The study also revealed the following implementation problem: Financial constraints, lack of technical skills and inadequate infrastructure. In addition, a positive association was found between the implementation of information technology and overall supply chain performance.

Conclusion: The study proves that small-scale product industries can improve their supply chain performance, operational efficiency, and reverse logistics by implementing modern information technology. It suggests to invest more in digital technologies, employee training and supportive policies to fast track digital transformation.