Autonomous vehicles in warehouse inventory management: Insights from Malaysia's national telecommunication and digital infrastructure provider

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in warehouse inventory management, with a specific focus on Malaysia’s national telecommunication and digital infrastructure provider. It identifies key challenges, operational efficiencies, and strategic implementation considerations to enhance supply chain resilience.

Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method research approach was employed, integrating qualitative interviews with logistics experts and a quantitative survey of warehouse personnel. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data, while Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze quantitative findings.

Findings: The study highlights that workforce adaptation is the strongest predictor of successful AV adoption, with employee upskilling emerging as a critical factor. Despite AVs' potential to optimize inventory accuracy and streamline operations, challenges such as budget constraints, cybersecurity risks, and system integration complexities persist. Notably, the research reveals a paradoxical misalignment between management support and AV adoption success, underscoring the need for strategic leadership engagement.

Research limitations/implications: The study primarily focuses on a national telecommunication provider, limiting the broader applicability to diverse logistics sectors. Future research should explore AV integration across varied industries and regions to enhance generalizability.

Practical implications: The findings provide logistics managers with an empirically driven framework for AV integration, emphasizing the importance of phased implementation, workforce readiness programs, and system compatibility measures. Additionally, the study informs policymakers on the regulatory considerations necessary for AV adoption in Malaysia’s telecommunications sector.

Social implications: Automation in warehouse management raises workforce displacement concerns, necessitating proactive upskilling initiatives. The study also contributes to sustainable logistics practices by demonstrating AVs’ potential to reduce energy consumption and improve space utilization in warehouse environments.

Originality/value: This research fills a critical gap in AV adoption literature by offering an empirically validated framework specific to warehouse inventory management in the telecommunications sector. It extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Resource-Based View (RBV) theories to assess AV adoption drivers and barriers.