The 21st century is an era in which digital transformation and technological innovations are rapidly spreading across social and economic domains. In this context, the logistics sector is undergoing significant change driven by smart logistics technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and automation. These technologies enhance the efficiency, speed, and security of logistics processes, offering a competitive edge. However, this transformation also redefines the role of human resources. The successful digitalization of the logistics sector depends on employees’ adaptation, acceptance of new technologies, and development of relevant skills. This study examines the attitudes of logistics employees in Turkey towards smart logistics technologies using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is widely used to analyze individuals’ tendencies to accept or reject a technology. The research is based on survey data collected from 413 employees working in logistics companies across Turkey. The findings reveal that perceived usefulness and ease of use of smart logistics technologies significantly affect employees’ attitudes and their intentions to adopt these technologies. The study provides valuable insights for strategic planning and the development of human resources policies, contributing to the digital transformation of Turkey’s logistics industry.
21. yüzyıl dijital dönüşümün ve teknolojik yeniliklerin toplumsal ve ekonomik alanlarda hızlı bir şekilde yaygınlaştığı bir dönemdir. Bu dönemde lojistik sektörü de büyük veri, yapay zekâ ve otomasyon gibi akıllı lojistik teknolojilerinin etkisiyle dönüşüm geçirmektedir. Bu teknolojiler, lojistik süreçlerin verimliliğini, hızını ve güvenliğini artırarak rekabet avantajı sağlamaktadır. Ancak, bu dönüşüm sadece teknolojik bir ilerleme değil, aynı zamanda insan kaynağının rolünü de yeniden tanımlayan bir süreçtir. Çalışanların bu yeni teknolojilere adaptasyonu, teknolojiyi kabul etmeleri ve yeni yetkinlikler kazanmaları, lojistik sektörünün başarılı bir şekilde dijitalleşmesi için kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu bağlamda gerçekleştirilen çalışma, Türkiye’de lojistik sektöründe görev yapan çalışanların akıllı lojistik teknolojilerine karşı tutumlarını, teknoloji kabul modeli çerçevesinde incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. TKM, bireylerin bir teknolojiyi kabul etme veya reddetme eğilimlerini analiz etmekte yaygın olarak kullanılan bir modeldir. Araştırma, Türkiye genelinde lojistik alanında faaliyet gösteren işletmelerde çalışan 413 kişiye uygulanan anket verilerine dayanmaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, akıllı lojistik teknolojilerinin algılanan faydası ve kullanım kolaylığının, çalışanların bu teknolojilere yönelik tutumları ve kullanım niyetleri üzerinde belirgin bir etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma, lojistik sektöründe stratejik planlamalar yaparken ve insan kaynakları politikaları geliştirirken dikkate alınması gereken değerli içgörüler sunmakta olup, Türkiye lojistik sektöründe dijital dönüşüm sürecine katkıda bulunmaktadır.
The 21st century is a period in which digital transformation and technological innovations are rapidly spreading across social and economic fields. The logistics sector is also undergoing significant change driven by smart logistics technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and automation. These technologies enhance the efficiency, speed, and security of logistics processes, providing a competitive advantage for businesses. However, this transformation not only represents technological advancement but also redefines the role of human resources. Employees' adaptation to these technologies, their acceptance, and acquisition of necessary skills are critical for successful digitalization in logistics.
This study aims to examine the attitudes of employees in Turkey's logistics sector toward smart logistics technologies and identify factors influencing these attitudes. The analysis is conducted within the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is widely used to understand individuals' tendencies to accept or reject technology. The research is based on survey data collected from 413 employees working in logistics companies across Turkey.
The research model is structured based on TAM, incorporating four core components: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention. According to TAM, perceived usefulness refers to the functional benefit individuals expect from using a technology, while perceived ease of use indicates how easy they believe the technology is to use. These two components are key antecedents that influence individuals’ attitudes and intentions toward a given technology. The study’s hypotheses are designed to test the effect of employees’ perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use of Logistics 4.0 technologies on their attitudes and behavioral intentions.
A twopart survey developed by the researchers was used to collect data. The first section includes demographic information such as gender, age, and education level. In the second section, TAMbased scales developed by Davis (1989) were used to measure employees’ attitudes toward smart logistics technologies. The perceived usefulness and ease of use items were adapted from Davis’s original scale, while attitude toward use and behavioral intention items were expanded with statements from other researchers. To ensure reliability and validity, both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. The results confirmed the validity and reliability of the scales.
The findings reveal that employees’ perceptions of the usefulness and ease of use of smart logistics technologies significantly influence their attitudes and behavioral intentions. Higher perceived ease of use leads to a stronger belief in the benefits of the technology, fostering a more positive attitude toward its adoption. The study’s hypotheses were largely supported. Correlation analysis indicated strong, positive relationships between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention. These results suggest that when employees perceive these technologies as useful and easy to use, they are more likely to adopt them with a positive attitude. Employees in Turkey’s logistics sector were found to have a positive outlook toward smart logistics technologies. The study emphasizes that the usefulness and ease of use of these technologies significantly affect employees’ acceptance and intentions. To facilitate adaptation, supportive strategies should be developed. It is recommended that businesses provide training to employees and offer incentives that encourage technology adoption.
This study contributes to the understanding of how logistics employees adopt smart logistics technologies, reinforcing the TAM framework in the literature. It highlights the importance of perceived usefulness and ease of use in shaping employee attitudes and intentions. Developing strategies that help employees form positive attitudes toward technology can accelerate the digital transformation of the logistics sector. For business leaders, the design and implementation of smart logistics technologies should prioritize user friendliness. Training programs should be established to support employees’ adaptation, and reward mechanisms should be created to promote usage. Furthermore, clearly communicating the benefits of these technologies to the workforce can enhance employees’ confidence and willingness to engage with them.