Modeling the key barriers of knowledge management adoption in sustainable supply chain

• Published in: Journal of enterprise information management 2020-12, Vol.33 (5), p.1077-1109
• Main Authors: Nazam, Muhammad, Hashim, Muhammad, Baig, Sajjad Ahmad, Abrar, Muhammad, Shabbir, Rizwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytic hierarchy process; Business competition; Categories; Competition; Competitive advantage; Context; Decision making; Developing countries; Food; Food processing industry; Industrial management; Knowledge management; Knowledge sharing; LDCs; Literature reviews; Market positioning; Model testing; Multiple criterion; Policies; R&D; Research & development; Sensitivity analysis; Supply chains; Sustainability; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 1741-0398; 1758-7409
• DOI: 10.1108/JEIM-09-2019-0271

PurposeThe food industry is crucial in delivering healthy products for life saving of the society. The identification of key barriers of knowledge management (KM) is desired to enhance the sustainability of the industry. KM has been seen as a part of sustainable development by reducing the bullwhip effect in the entire supply chain. The core objective of the existing research is to prioritize the essential factors of KM adoption in sustainable supply chain (SSC) based on fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) method.Design/methodology/approachIn order to fulfill objectives of this study, an extensive review of literature and a questionnaire-based field visits were conducted. A total of five major barriers categories and 22 sub-barriers categories were identified in food sector of Pakistan using experts' inputs. This study employed fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP).FindingsManagerial barriers, innovation and technological barriers categories are found to be highly prioritized among others. Further, the sensitivity analysis is applied to check the incremental changes of ranked barriers. This prioritization of barriers and incremental changes in them is expected to serve food sector for long-term sustainability and competitive advantage for importers and exporters. Finally, the findings of this research are very helpful for industrial experts, practitioners, consultants and government officials in effectively developing policies regarding KM adoption in line with sustainable goals.Research limitations/implicationsThe present work is conducted in the Pakistani context; however, the benchmark model may be tested and applied to other developing countries to compare the outcomes. For further research, the identified barriers may also be evaluated to establish their inter-relationships, using ISM, DEMATEL, ANP, etc. Similarly, the results of this study can also be compared with that of other fuzzy multi-criteria techniques like fuzzy TOPSIS, fuzzy VIKOR, fuzzy ELECTRE, fuzzy PROMETHEE, or fuzzy VIKOR.Practical implicationsThis research study can facilitate policymakers, government bodies, stakeholders and supply chain professionals to recognize the key barriers they may encounter in adopting KM practices in their SSC. Additionally, this work helps managers to evaluate the identified barriers by computing their relative importance in adopting KM practices at managerial levels like strategically, tactically and operationally activities in business. This s