Internet of Things (IoT) Impact on Oman’s Road Freight Sector: The Importance of Perceived Utility

Abstract: The growth of the global supply chain has brought numerous complications, particularly in freight transportation. Long lead times, high operational costs, and poor end-to-end visibility are examples of this. Modern technology must be included by freight businesses to streamline operations and maintain competitiveness. The freight transportation industry could change because of the Internet of Things (IoT). The way the road freight business operates has changed dramatically because of the IoT. By providing real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, improved security, and increased productivity, it has ushered in a new era for the road. Adopting the Internet of Things in Oman will guarantee long-term competitive advantage and future success in a dynamic road freight sector. The skills gap is one of the issues preventing IoT implementation. There hasn’t been much research done on how the Internet of Things is being used and how it is affecting the Omani road freight industry. The overarching goal of this study was to document the potential impact of IoT on the road freight industry via the lens of perceived utility in Oman. A total of 203 structured questions were distributed online to workers in Oman’s road freight sector. For the analysis of quantitative data in the study, structural equation modeling is used. Results show that the adoption of IoT in the road freight sector is a continuous trend. Further findings show that the relationship between IoT and operational effectiveness is considerably and favorably mediated by perceived usefulness. Improved operational effectiveness is the primary impact of IoT on the road freight sector. Managers are informed that smart sensor technologies can be used with the IoT to allow asset visibility and save operational costs. By outlining the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies used in Oman’s road freight business, the paper adds to the body of knowledge on logistics management.

Keywords: road freight industry, internet of things; operational effectiveness, and perceived usefulness